Maybe the girls on the Reeths-Puffer softball team simply like to tease their fans and keep them on their toes.
It certainly seems like that, after the Rockets have flirted with defeat several times lately, only to rally for thrilling victories.
Thursday’s rally was really crazy, because the Rockets appeared buried in Game 2 of their non-conference doubleheader at Oakridge.
The Eagles led 13-4 in the bottom of the fifth inning and had the bases loaded with two outs. One more run would have ended the game on the 10-run mercy rule, but the Rockets managed to get the third out to stay alive.
R-P's Kaylee Jones crosses the plate and scores a run. Photo/Jeremy Clark
Then R-P came alive at the plate, scoring five runs in both the top of the sixth and seventh innings to pull out an amazing 14-13 win.
The Rockets also won the first game 6-5 and remained undefeated on the season with an 18-0-1 record.
The two big comeback innings in Game 2 demonstrated R-P’s ironclad determination to avoid that first loss of the season.
In the sixth inning, Kyleigh Bilek doubled and Tessa Ross singled, then R-P got two outs. Ross stole second, allowing Bilek to sneak home for one run. Lainey McDaniel reached base on an error, then Megan Barmes knocked in Ross and McDaniel with a single. Abbie Critchett followed with a triple, scoring Barmes, and Mady Snider singled to drive home Critchett.
R-P's Lainey McDaniel delivers a pitch. Photo/Jeremy Clark
Suddenly the Eagles’ nine-run lead had shrunk to 13-9.
In the seventh inning, Kyleigh Bialek led off with a single, then Ross doubled, sending Bialek to third. Jersi Bilek and Ross followed with RBI singles, Barmes hit an RBI groundout, Critchett added an RBI single, then Mady Smyder doubled to knock in the go-ahead run.
The Rockets held the Eagles in the bottom of the seventh and escaped with the hard to believe 14-13 win.
Snyder, Ross, Critchett, McDaneil and Kyleigh Kyleigh Bilek all had three hits for the Rockets.
R-P's Jersi Bilek drops a bunt. Photo/Jeremy Clark
Snyder pitched the first six innings and McDaniel closed out the seventh.
“This team has the most grit, heart and determination that I have ever seen,” said R-P Coach Sarah Bayle. “We've talked a lot the last couple of days about how no one is the best on the team, but everyone is the best for the team. That could not be more accurate. These girls work so hard and they are doing things that R-P softball has never seen before.
“To come back from a nine-run deficit and win the game to go 18-0-1 is truly phenomenal. I am so proud of these girls.”
The Game 1 victory also required a Reeths-Puffer rally, albeit one of a more modest variety.
R-P's Natalie Kunnen slides into home plate. Photo/Jeremy Clark
Oakridge led 4-1 after four innings, then the Rockets answered with five runs in the top of the fifth to take a 6-4 lead.
The Eagles pushed across one run in the bottom of the seventh but got no closer.
McDaniel pitched a complete game for the Rockets with 13 strikeouts.
Snyder and Barmes each had two hits for R-P.