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Game changer: Ennis forces decisive third game with walk-off homer
BY CHRIS O'DELL, codell@starlocalnews.com
MANSFIELD -- After a 3-2 victory in Game 1 of the regional semifinals against Ennis on Thursday, the Lady Wolverines had a chance to close out the top-ranked Lady Lions Friday night from Mansfield Legacy.
Despite three early runs off Ennis sophomore starting pitcher Taylor Maliska, Wakeland couldn't close the deal after surrendering a walk-off home run in the eighth inning.
"It just wasn't our night tonight," said Chris Southard, Wakeland head coach.
However, with Ennis junior catcher Riley Fira leading off the eigth, Wakeland pitcher Hannah Newcomb missed on three straight pitches to fall behind 3-0 in the count.
Fira then belted the 3-0 pitch over the right centerfield wall to give Ennis the 4-3 victory and force a decisive Game 3 on Saturday.
"We were kind of between a rock and a hard place there," Southard said. "You don't want to put the winning run on base. [Fira] is just a great hitter though and those things are going to happen."
After Newcomb earned the win on the mound Thursday night, the Lady Lions jumped on the senior hurler Friday and scored two first-inning runs for an early lead.
Both runs were unearned after a misplayed grounder from third baseman Darian Dunn put two runners on base with only one out.
Ennis shortstop Ashley Deutsch then smacked an RBI single that scored one run before the throw home from centerfielder Monika Reichhardt got past senior catcher Tess Soefje for a second Ennis run.
"It's a big ballgame and a big venue," Southard said. "They're just kids. But we've got to overcome that."
The Lady Wolverines bounced right back from the two-run first inning by Ennis and took the lead in the top of the second.
Wakeland's rally began with a one-out bunt single from Reichhardt before sophomore first baseman Jordan Swanner drew a walk from Maliska.
After a ground out from designated hitter Meredith Owen for the inning's second out, outfielder Haley Hicks reached base on an Ennis error and allowed two runs to come home after a second error by the Lady Lions during the play.
"I like the way we were able to come back there in the second inning and tie it back up," Southard said. "We were even able to take the lead for a while."
Senior shortstop Brittney Gehle gave Wakeland the advantage during the following at bat after belting an RBI double to deep center field.
The lead wouldn't last long for the Lady Wolverines though.
Ennis scored its third run of the game in the bottom of the second when sophomore designated hitter Rylie Robertson reached base on another Wakeland error.
Robertson would score after a double from sophomore first baseman Kayla Prachyl put her on third base and a sacrifice fly in foul territory brought her home.
"We played some poor defense early on and gave them some opportunities," Southard said. "They were able to cash in on those."
Newcomb found a rhythm after the Lady Lions scored their third run of the game and retired 12 straight batters during a stretch that ended in the seventh inning.
However, Maliska was also dialed in and shut down the Wakeland offense for the final six innings.
The Lady Wolverines weren't limited in opportunites at the plate though and had a chance at a key go-ahead run during the sixth inning.
With Dunn leading off the inning with a single, Newcomb made it two on with no outs after a single of her own in the next at bat.
Reichhardt failed to move the runners though after fouling off two bunt attempts before eventually popping up a two-strike pitch for an out.
Maliska then struck out Swanner and got Owen to ground out for the third out, getting the sophomore hurler out of the late jam.
Newcomb had to deal with a jam of her own during the bottom of the seventh after Ennis put runners on the corners with two outs.
With freshman second baseman Courtlyn Benitez hitting a weak grounder that Dunn bobbled at third, the Lady Lions tried to score on the play before Dunn threw home and allowed Soefje to get the inning's third out with a tag at the plate, forcing extra innings.
Newcomb ended the game with four runs surrendered on seven hits and no walks during seven-plus innings of work.
Newcomb's counterpart tossed eight innings and gave up three runs on six hits and one walk.
The Ennis win forces a decisive third game Saturday afternoon from the same location.
Wakeland (31-7) will have Newcomb back on the mound for the 1:30 p.m. contest.
"We'll come back and be ready to go tomorrow," Southard said.
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