For the Streetsboro Rockets’ softball team, the final three outs of their game against Metro Athletic Conference foe Norton were the toughest ones to get as the Panthers scored four runs in the top of the seventh. The Rockets fended off Norton’s comeback bid to top their league foes 9-7 last Thursday evening at Veterans Stadium.
“Although we weren’t off to a very good start, we gave up two runs to Norton in the first inning, but then after that our pitching kind of settled down,” said Coach LeRoy Moore. “The bats came around, so we finished with the win and that is always a good thing.”
It was a pivotal win for Streetsboro (11-4, 7-2), rebounding from only its second conference loss of the season earlier in the week to still remain in the hunt for the MAC banner. Despite sitting in second place, the Rockets still have three more league games on the schedule, including a re-match against conference leader Field. If Streetsboro can go undefeated, it would guarantee at least a share of the conference title and could also secure outright ownership if the Falcons lose another game in the final few weeks.
On Thursday, the Rockets appeared to be cruising to victory by holding a 9-3 advantage in the top of the seventh inning. After not scoring since the third inning, Norton’s bats came alive in the final frame by recording five hits and scoring four runs.
Sophomore center fielder Amy Messer slugged a RBI-double to right field, followed by a two-run double to right field off of the bat of sophomore third baseman Addison Calo and junior Chloe Womble delivered a RBI-single to right field, trimming the Rockets’ lead to 9-7.After freshman catcher Alyssa Dobbins hit an infield single to freshman shortstop Ella Simpson putting runners at first and second, senior second baseman Brenna Campbell came to the plate representing the go ahead run.
Sophomore right-hander Amy Rein’s was removed after hurling 6.2 innings while giving seven runs on nine hits, issuing one walk and striking out five batters, making way for junior Payton Williams to come on in relief to get the final out.
Williams induced a game-ending fielder’s choice groundout by Campbell to freshman third baseman Mallorie Gierke, ending Norton’s rally to seal the victory.
It was a thrilling finish to a game in which the ball was flying out of the park in the first few innings, with the teams combining to score seven runs by launching four home runs in the first three innings.
After the Panthers took a 2-0 lead on a two-run home run to center field by sophomore righty Tatum Harris in the first inning, Streetsboro responded with two home runs in the second frame with a solo home run to left field by Rein and a three-run blast to rightfield by sophomore second baseman Khloe Cutright, pushing the Rockets ahead 4-2.
“It looked like it was going to be a slugfest,” noted Moore. “After that first two innings, after Amy gave up those first two home runs, she settled down. They didn’t score anything in the fourth, fifth or sixth. I guess they saved it all for that seventh inning.”
While Rein silenced the Panthers’ bats, Streetsboro added to its lead by scoring four runs in the fifth and sixth inning.
“One of the things we are working on with our hitters are making the adjustments and taking pitches and making pitchers throw more pitches so again I think that was good,” Moore added.
Streetsboro’s perseverance at the plate throughout the game made the difference as those insurance runs gave it the cushion that it needed to survive a wild seventh inning.
Not only did the Rockets secure a season sweep of Norton but have set the stage for a competitive battle in the final few weeks to compete for the league title. It is the first time since joining the MAC that the Rockets are in the hunt for the league banner at this point in the season.
According to Moore, while he wants the team to relish fighting it out for the MAC title, he is also stressing the importance of continuing this resurgent season into the playoffs.
“Over the next two weeks here there are two things we are trying to accomplish which is remaining in that league title battle but also position ourselves to where we can make a good run in the tournament,” he said.
After a league road duel against Ravenna on Tuesday, the Rockets will stay on the road and face Cuyahoga Heights on Friday at 5 p.m.
