BAINBRIDGE – The Spartans scored twice in the bottom of the sixth inning on a two-out, two-run single by Malia Peato to overcome a 1-0 Holy Names lead in a taut fastpitch softball pitching duel between Peato and Logan Luebbe of Holy Names.

Peato then worked out of a two-on, one-out jam in top of the seventh to secure the 2-1 win for the Spartans.

With the victory, the Spartans claimed a share of the 2018 Metro League Mountain Division crown along with Holy Names. Both teams finished 11-4 in Metro League play, splitting the two games between the longtime rivals.

Holy Names scored their run in the second. A two-out error put a runner on first, and Luebbe doubled to the fence to drive in the only Holy Names run of the game.

Luebbe then held the Spartans in check through the first five innings, allowing only two singles.

But in the bottom of the sixth, Bainbridge executed the short game perfectly to overtake the Cougars. Olivia Ditmore singled to start the inning, Kensey Baker reached on a bunt single, and Morgan Lassoff sacrificed to move the runners to second and third with the heart of the Bainbridge order due up.

Maddie Loverich popped up for the second out. Peato worked the count to two balls, then singled to drive in Ditmore and Lassoff to give the Spartans the lead.

In the seventh, two one-out singles by Holy Names put runners on first and second, but Peato coaxed a fly out to left for the second out, then caught the Holy Names clean-up hitter looking to record the strike out that ended the game.

Peato (8-4) pitched seven innings and gave up six hits. She had three strikeouts in the contest.

Ditmore finished 1-for-1, with a run. Baker was 1-for-3 with a run, while Peato was 2-for-3 with two RBIs.

Bainbridge finished the season with an overall record of 13-4 (11-4 Metro League).