Monday, April 29th/ Way out in western Hilliard ~ Things seemed to have turned the corner for the Irish 9, their energy was back, their bats were back, the defense was solid and for the second game in a row they were scoring runs… But as it turned out, it wasn’t enough as the Jaguars of Hilliard Bradley battled back for 5 runs in the bottom of the 7th including a game winning grand slam walk off home run making the final score 10-9. There are trough loses but this one was extra hard to swallow as it seemed as though Scioto had the game in hand right from the outset, only to have victory snatched away from them. However, on a positive note, and this author hates moral victories, this was a solid positive outing on all fronts, offense and defense both stepped up, they just couldn’t close the door.
After falling behind 2-0 in the bottom of the 1st inning, Scioto batted around scoring 6 times jumping back into the lead. Sarah Booth led off with a walk, and scored all the way from first on a double down the left field line by Emily Dinan. Caroline Piatt came out hot after a long layoff due to injury with a sharp single to left driving in Dinan. Lauren Perry was safe at first when the Bradley first baseman could not handle the throw from third, and an infield single by Maddy Baughman loaded the bases. Madi Comstock ripped a triple to the right field gap driving in three big runs. A big knock by Makayla Jauregui to the gap drove in Little Red.
In the top of the 3rd, Piatt shook off any remaining rust she had and jacked her first home run of the year deep to left center power alley. Perry took advantage of another Bradley infield error and scored on the second extra base hit from Comstock. The Irish would put another lone run up in the top of the 7th, looking like an insurance run, but as it would turn out they needed more insurance. Lucia Adams continued her hot hitting singling up the middle, and moved to second on Piatt’s third hit of the night. Baughman’s third hit of the night loaded the bases and then Adams scored Scioto’s final run on an error by the Bradley pitcher. Scioto had multiple opportunities to really put the game away but ran themselves out of rallies in the 5th, 6th and 7th innings.
Sarah Booth started in the circle for the Irish and left the game with an 8-5 lead, allowing 4 earned runs on 9 hits and a walk, but stranded 7 base runners through 5 innings. Haley Gibson came out of the bullpen strong retiring the first 4 batters she faced. But the Bradley offense was just patient enough at the plate and was able to battle back on a pair of questionable walks and three hits including the big fly that ended the game.
Scioto is back home for Senior Night on Tuesday, as they host the Thomas Worthington Cardinals. Senior night festivities will kick off at 5:00 and the first pitch to follow. There will be cake after the game.
Dublin Scioto 0 6 2 0 0 0 1 9 – 14 – 1
Hilliard Bradley 2 0 1 0 2 0 5 10 – 12 – 4
