(May 1, 2015) The Stephen Decatur softball team battled back to tie Monday’s game against the Wi-Hi Indians and forced extra innings, but the Lady Seahawks came up short, 11-9, in Berlin.
“Overall, the girls played very well with a lot of heart. One of our best games,” Decatur Coach Heather Patnode said. “Yes, we still made a few errors and came out later in the game with hitting, which hurt us a little, however, they didn’t give up and kept trying new and different things to try to win the game.”
The Indians scored two runs in the first, one in the second and two in the third to lead 5-0.
The Seahawks had a big third inning, tallying six runs to pull ahead 6-5.
Wi-Hi tacked on two runs in the fourth and one in the fifth to gain an 8-6 advantage.
Decatur drove in two runs in the bottom of the sixth to even the game 8-8.
Neither team scored in the seventh so the match went into extra innings.
According to the rule for tied games, the last player out in the previous inning starts on second base.
Three Wi-Hi players crossed home plate in the eighth to take an 11-8 lead.
Decatur scored one in the bottom of the inning, but the Seahawks could not generate any additional runs.
“We have grown as a team and [are] attempting more softball skill-based plays and attempting more difficult skills and plays,” Patnode said. “Some of my young girls have never seen nor experienced an international tiebreaker, so that was a learning experience for them, as well as how important it was to move the runners into scoring positions … we are improving, continuing to learn, grow and become stronger softball players and team.”
Junior pitcher Madelynn King struck out nine Wi-Hi batters. She walked three and allowed 10 hits. At the plate, she hit three singles.
Center Hannah Fleming and right fielder Hannah Brown were both honored during Decatur’s Senior Night. They each singled twice.
Seeding for the regional tournament will take place on Tuesday, May 5. Decatur will compete in Section I of the 3A South. The sectional quarterfinals are scheduled for Thursday, May 7.
