DANE FUELLING
WZBD.com
Adams Central could not have pushed the South Adams Starfires any closer to the brink of defeat without winning themselves as Addie Baker faced quite a predicament in the bottom of the seventh inning Tuesday in the rematch at the 2A South Adams Sectional.
With two runners on and two out in a 5-4 game, the Jets were one barreled ball to the fence away from a huge upset against their rivals.
It was not meant to be, however, as Addie Baker finished off a massive effort fittingly, with a strikeout, to advance the Starfires to the semifinals against Bluffton and end Adams Central’s season.
Winning their 23rd game of the season and first game of this postseason, South Adams got the winning runs in their most typical fashion – with fantastic baserunning from Macy Pries and a big hit from Sophia Schwartz.
The game was tied 3-3 heading into the seventh when Pries walked, stole second and then scored on the ensuing drama.
A walk to Bekah Patterson set up Schwartz for the RBI opportunity, putting the Stars up 5-3 heading into the bottom of the last inning.
An infield error and two base hits to lead off the inning gave Adams Central hope, with Izzy Isch driving in Melina Peralez to cut the lead to 5-4 with no outs.
That’s when Baker dug down deep and got two pop ups to the outfield. She ended the game striking out the final batter swinging, a fitting end to the game and springboard to the next.
Avery Brown gave the Starfires an early lead with a two-run home run in the second inning, but a two-run double by Peralez tied the game in the third.
Baker finished the game with seven strikeouts, but she was touched for 11 hits by Adams Central. Lilli Jackson struck out seven, as well, allowing six hits and four walks.
Athena Schwartz’s double to lead off the third was the only extra-base hit allowed by Baker, while Brown’s home run was the only extra-base hit for the Stars.
South Adams will play Bluffton at 5:30 p.m. Thursday. Fans can hear that game live on WZBD, 92.7 FM.