WEIRTON - A day after the Weir High softball team took advantage of Madonna's miscues in a 10-run win, the Red Riders did their share to lend a helping hand to Brooke, in the process waving goodbye to a three-game winning streak in a 14-7 Bruins victory.
After the Lady Riders (4-5) scored seven runs in the bottom the third inning - helped by three Brooke errors - to take a 7-6 lead, Weir allowed single runs in the third and fourth, then six runs in the fifth as Brooke rolled to victory. Two errors, two wild pitches and a pop fly that fell between four players fueled the game-deciding rally.
The Lady Bruins had squandered an early lead, but answered Weir's seven-run rally with a solo home run by senior Courtney Rine to tie the game 7-7 in the fourth.
Article Photos
GETTING DIRTY — Weir High’s Alyssa Shingle slides safely into second base in front of Brooke’s Kelsey Welsh as the ball is loose during the Bruins’ 14-7 victory Wednesday.
-- Mike Mathison
Brooke broke the tie in the fifth when senior Jessica Kennedy started a rally, reaching on an error and taking second base on an overthrow. After a groundout moved Kennedy to third, she scored on a bunt by senior Katie O'Connell. When Kennedy scored, the Lady Bruins took an 8-7 lead and never looked back, but they added some insurance runs anyway.
After seniors Samantha Cusick and Rine reached on a single and hit batsman respectively, sophomore pitcher Kaylee Kuchinski helped herself with a bloop single that fell between four fielders in shallow right-center field. With the bases loaded, a second wild pitch of the inning allowed Cusick to score, then sophomore Michaela Hinerman made it 12-7 with a line-drive single to center. The final run of the inning scored on another Weir error and the Lady Bruins took a 13-7 lead to the bottom of the fifth inning.
That proved to be all the Lady Bruins needed as Kuchinski, who had come on in relief in the third inning, faced the minimum over the last three innings to earn the win. In fact, Kuchinski retired 16 of the 19 batters she faced. She struck out two and received excellent defense from her teammates, including a game-ending double play.
The story was much different for Weir junior pitcher Micah DiBacco, who allowed all 14 runs, only six of which were earned.
The Lady Riders fell behind 6-0 when Kennedy delivered an RBI single in the top of the third, but answered with a seven-run rally of their own to take the lead.
In the bottom of the third, Weir sent 12 batters to the plate and pounded out eight hits. Lady Rider senior Caitlyn Fodor delivered an RBI single and was followed by fellow senior Danica Rasicci who hit a two-run double as Weir cut the Lady Bruins lead to 6-3. Weir junior Emily Zatezalo then ripped a run-producing single and was backed up by sophomore Morgan Rice's RBI hit to cut the deficit to one. Sophomore Jillian Karavanic put the Lady Riders on top 7-6 with a two-run double to right.
Brooke took advantage of two Lady Rider errors and a couple other misplays that turned into base hits to build a 5-0 lead in the top of the second inning. The Lady Bruin rally started when Hinerman bunted a ball that was fielded cleanly but went for a base hit because coverage at first base arrived late - a seemingly small mistake that led to a huge inning.
After sophomore Cassie Camilletti drilled a solid single to center, Kristen Reardon, another sophomore, laid down a bunt that again was fielded, but the throw sailed into right field, scoring Hinerman and putting runners at first and third. After Reardon moved to second on defensive indifference, a hard-hit grounder toward third was misplayed allowing two more runs to score.
Senior Shannon Reardon's RBI single to left made it 4-0 before she was caught in a rundown between first and second and tagged out. After two outs, Brooke struck again, stringing together two singles and walk to produce another run on senior Kelsey Welsh's base hit before Weir retired the side.
A trio of Brooke seniors led the way offensively. Shannon Reardon collected three hits, including a double, and drove in a run. O'Connell also had three hits and an RBI, while Rine's lone hit of the day was a round tripper.
Hinerman also had three hits and an RBI for the winners and Kuchinski had a pair of singles and an RBI. Kennedy and Camilletti also had two hits for Brooke.
Weir was paced by Rasicci's pair of hits and RBIs, and two singles apiece for juniors Meikka Buffo and Haley McLaughlin.
Brooke (5-6) returns to action today, hosting a noon doubleheader with Magnolia (9-2). The Lady Riders travel to Buckeye Local on Saturday for an 11 a.m. doubleheader.
Brooke 14, Weir 7
Brooke 051 116 0 - 14 20 3
Weir 007 000 0 - 7 12 5
BROOKE (5-6): K.Reardon (1K, 0BB), Kuchinski (WP, 3rd, 2K, 0BB) and S.Reardon; S.Reardon 2S, D, rbi; O'Connell 3S, rbi; Cusick 2S; Rine HR, rbi; Welsh S, rbi; Kuchinski 2S, rbi; Hinerman 3S, rbi; Camilletti 2S; Kennedy 2S, rbi.
WEIR (4-5): DiBacco (2K, 1BB,) and Buffo; Buffo 2S; McLaughlin 2S; Fodor S, rbi; Rasicci S, D, 2rbi; Zatezalo S, rbi; Pratt S; Drizake S; Rice S, rbi; Karavanic D, 2rbi.
Panthers down Big Red
RAYLAND - Steubenville Big Red scored three times in the top of the third inning for a 3-1 lead Wednesday against host Buckeye Local, but the Panthers scored twice in the bottom of the third and two more in the bottom of the fourth and rode it to an 8-4 victory.
Ivy Starcher earned the win. She struck out five and walked one.
Dana Bettineschi singled twice, tripled and registered an RBI. Taryn Tonkovich added a single, double and RBI, and Tori Nest two RBIs and a single.
Buckeye Local hosts Weir Saturday for a doubleheader.
Christina Archer delivered two singles and two RBIs for Big Red (1-8). Steubenville hosts Meadowbrook Saturday for two.
Buckeye Local 8, Steubenville 4
Steubenville 103 000 0 - 4 6 3
Buckeye Local 302 201 x - 8 10 2
STEUBENVILLE (1-8): Perrino (LP, 4K, 3BB) and Barker; Archer 2S, 2rbi.
BUCKEYE LOCAL (7-4): Starcher (WP, 5K, 1BB) and Nest, Faulkner (6); Tonkovich S, D, rbi; Bettineschi 2S, T, rbi; Nest S, 2rbi; Swiger T
Redskins fall to Monarchs
WINTERSVILLE - The Indian Creek softball team suffered its first loss of the season 18-7 to John Marshall at home Wednesday.
Ashley Starr, Paige DeMattio, and Paige Geanangel each hit a home run for the Redskins. Geanangel led the team with three RBIs.
Indian Creek (8-1) looks to get back to its winning ways today when it hosts Oak Glen at noon.
John Marshall 18, Indian Creek 7
John Marshall 742 300 2 - 18 13 0
Indian Creek 023 200 0 - 7 6 9
JOHN MARSHALL (8-2): Rotriga (WP, 6K, 8BB), Garcai (4th, 2K, 1BB) and Lewicky. K. Lewicky 3S; Howard 2S, RBI; Garcia HR, 3RBI; Watson S, RBI; Rogerson 2S; Gellner 3S.
INDIAN CREEK (8-1): Geanangel (LP, 3K, 6BB), Starr (4th, 4K, 3BB) and Orr. Starr HR, S, RBI; DeMattio S, HR, RBI; Geanangel S, HR, 3RBI; Monroe S.
Tice throws a gem
RICHMOND - The Edison softball team rode the arm of pitcher Mikayla Tice to a 2-1 nine-inning home win Wednesday.
Tice went the complete game, striking out 10 and surrendering just one hit, to pick up the victory. Trisha Tifonoff knocked in the game-winning run on a ninth inning single.
Edison (3-3) travels to Wheeling Park today.
Edison 2, Martins Ferry 1
Martin Ferry 000 001 000 - 1 1 6
Edison 000 001 001 - 2 10 5
MARTINS FERRY: DelGuzzo (LP, 5K, 3BB) and Hotlosz; Hanson S.
EDISON (3-3): Tice (WP, 10K, 2BB) and Kr. Prokopakis. Trifonoff 3S, game-winning RBI; N. Snyder 2S.
Late rally leads Central
STEUBENVILLE - The Central softball team broke open a 5-2 game with five runs in the bottom of the sixth to pull away for a 10-3 victory Wednesday at Steve Zamana Softball Field.
Paige Creamer got the win while striking out eight in six frames of work. Lara Householder pitched the seventh. Creamer also had a single, double and two RBIs at the plate to lead her team. Maddie Gulan also had two RBIs to go with a double for the Crusaders.
Steubenville Central 10, Bishop Donahue 3
Bishop Donahue 100 010 1 - 3 5 2
Steubenville Central 310 105 x - 10 10 3
BISHOP DONAHUE (8-6): Guzek (LP, 1K, 4BB) and Scott. Ghaphery T; Guzek 2S; Wolf S, Scott S.
STEUBENVILLE CENTRAL (6-2): Creamer (WP, 8K, 3BB), Householder (7th, 1K, 0BB) and Clark. Mirabella 2S, RBI; Vandeborne 2S; Gulan D, 2RBI; Creamer S, D, 2RBI; Daley D; Moziejko S; Giannamore S.
Red Knights edged by Cadets
TORONTO - The Toronto softball team dropped a heartbreaking home loss to Linsly Wednesday 6-5.
The Red Knights trailed 6-3 after five before scoring a run in the sixth and seventh innings to come up just short against the Cadets.
Maddie Stoica had two singles, Carrie Horne a double, and Carly Cooper a single for the Red Knights.
Linsly 6, Toronto 5
Linsly 112 020 0 - 6 5 2
Toronto 003 001 1 - 5 4 2
LINSLY: Johnson (WP, 2K, 5BB) and Muster; Tennant S; Cecil S; Johnson S.
TORONTO (2-5): Sears (LP, 3K, 3BB), Horne (7, 1K, 0BB) and Stoica; Horne D; Stoica 2S; Cooper S.
Huskies roll over Big Reds
BELLAIRE - The Harrison Central softball team rolled to a 7-1 Buckeye 8 road win over Bellaire Wednesday.
Katie Ellzy went seven, striking out nine for the Huskies.
Paige Dunlap and Kiley Staely each had two doubles while Jana Fenstamaker picked up a single and a double for the Huskies.
Harrison Central will be in action again Saturday when it hosts Beaver Local for a doubleheader.
Harrison Central 7, Bellaire 1
Harrison Central 113 001 1 - 7 11 0
Bellaire 000 001 0 - 1 5 8
HARRISON CENTRAL (6-3): Ellzy (WP, 9K, 2BB) and Dodds. Dunlap 2D; Fenstamaker S, D; Staley 2D.
BELLAIRE (3-6): Ging (LP, 5K, 2BB) and Garloch; Garloch D, RBI.
