SEATTLE – Sixth-inning magic.
For the second fastpitch softball game in a row, the Spartans spotted its opponent a run in the second inning, came back in the bottom of the sixth to take the lead, then held on as their opponent tried to rally in the seventh.
Instead of Holy Names, this time the opponent was Bishop Blanchet that pushed across the first run of the game on three singles and a Spartan error in the top of the second.
For the next four innings, Bainbridge pitchers Kate Judy and Malia Peato matched zeroes on the scoreboard.
Morgan Lassoff led off the bottom of the sixth and appeared to reach base when the ball was dropped at first base. However, the umpire ruled the first baseman had held on to the ball long enough to record an out. After much discussion, the decision was upheld by the umpires.
Meanwhile the Bishop Blanchet players had to wait around as the Spartans got fired up by (to them) the obvious missed call.
When play resumed, Maddie Loverich and Peato drilled doubles into left field to tie the score.
After a Sara Colley eight pitch at-bat that resulted in the second out of the inning, Anna Koslosky and Ruby Raymundo (both freshmen) hit back-to-back doubles to the fence to push the score to 3-1 in favor of Bainbridge.
Blanchet made the game interesting in the seventh as one-out singles put runners on second and third.
A foul out and a walk brought the Bishop Blanchet clean-up hitter to the plate with two outs and the bases loaded. A line drive to Olivia Ditmore ended the threat and the game.
Loverich finished 2-for-3, with two doubles and a run scored. 2 2B, Run
Peato was 1-for-3, with a double, RBI and a run. Anna Koslosky went 2-for-3, with two doubles, RBI and a run. Raymundo was 1-for-3, with a double.
Peato pitched seven innings and picked up another win in the circle (9-4). She gave up eight hits and a run, and had six strike outs.
The win at the Southeast Athletic Complex improved Bainbridge’s record to 14-4.
The Spartans were scheduled to face West Seattle late this week in the Metro Tournament semifinals.
