A Vicious Battle – Softball That Is

by Erin Hogan
It was a vicious battle from the beginning to the end between the Lady Tigers and Lady Mountaineers softball teams. The first few innings for both teams were a quick three up, three down with New Lebanon getting one run. Then, in the bottom of the third, Gabby Hilts batted in Sara Risko to give the Tigers a 2 run lead over the Mountaineers. The score would stay that way with the Lady Mountaineers struggling to get the bats swinging until the top of the fifth when Rachel Bly got things started with a single and then stole second and third base. It seemed hopeless for Berlin when they got two outs right after Bly’s efforts, but Deanna Nash had some good eyes and got a walk and from there the bases got loaded up. By the end of the inning the score was all tied up, and it was up in the air as to who would walk away with the win. Would it be Berlin with Erin Berschwinger throwing the heat, or would it be New Lebanon’s smart fielding and heavy hitting that would take the W.
It wasn’t until the seventh that it was clear. Berlin finally got the bats going and made it all the way through their line up before the inning ended. With great hits from Brittany Spaniol, Erin Berschwinger, Shayla Morris, Sam Spaniol, Deanna Nash and Emily Dooley Berlin changed the score from tied to 7-3. Unfortunately for the Lady Tigers, it would stay that way throughout the seventh inning. For New Lebanon there was great pitching from Maggie Springer and excellent fielding from Sammy Baratto.
Coach Schmich said, after the game, “It was a great game by Erin Berschwinger, who really stepped up. The team did a great job hustling to first base, and they forced New Lebanon to make mistakes.”