DEAN JACKSON
WZBD.com
MONROEVILLE— Heritage softball needed more than a fresh start. They needed a wake-up call.
Four straight losses, including a frustrating 9-2 defeat to Bishop Dwenger Monday, had left the Patriots searching for answers. Effort was lacking, energy drained—something had to change.
Coach Amanda Minchski held a frank team meeting before Tuesday’s crucial game against South Adams. It wasn’t a pep talk, but a call to accountability.
“We were deeply disappointed with our recent effort,” Minchski stated bluntly. Her message was clear: this wasn’t just about fixing errors; it was about taking personal responsibility.
She urged her players to find their competitive spirit again. She wanted them to push through tough times and show they were tougher than the tough week indicated.
“We stressed fierce competition in every situation,” Minchski explained. “When we compete with that intensity, we have a real chance to win.” Her urgency was palpable.
Minchski jokingly called it a “Come to Jesus moment.” It might not have been a joke, but the message hit home.
On Tuesday, the Patriots (9-4, 1-0 ACAC) showed a visible transformation against South Adams (9-2, 1-1). It became a tense duel, packed with defensive highlights and near misses.
In the sixth inning, tied 2-2, Heritage seized their opportunity.
Abriyah James stole second and raced to third on a wild pitch. Then, off a sharp fly by Lucy Buuck, James raced home for a go-ahead run on the sacrifice fly.
South Adams coach Jesse O’Dell praised Heritage but lamented his team’s mistakes. “We handed them that one,” he said. “Crucial errors cost us. “We made crucial errors —both mental and physical—and they seized every opportunity.”
Those errors—a miscue, a missed chance—proved decisive. In a one-run game they were amplified.
James had two hits, a key stolen base, and scored the winning run. Lucy Buuck added two vital hits, including a powerful triple, and drove in a run. Danica Fuller pitched a complete game, allowing just one earned run on four hits over seven innings, striking out seven and walking only one.
For South Adams, Bekah Patterson had two hits and an RBI. Addie Baker pitched six strong innings, allowing one earned run on five hits, and striking out eight without issuing a walk.
South Adams scored first in the second. Patterson bunted, and a Heritage error allowed Reece Beitler to score, 1-0.
Heritage tied it in the fourth. A catcher’s mistake let Avi Washington reach third, and then score. South Adams led 2-1 in the fifth after a Patterson single and a Heritage outfield error brought in Lindsay LeFever. But Heritage quickly responded; Buuck tripled, driving in Hadlee Shipp for a 2-2 tie.
“It was the intense game we expected,” Minchski said. “We made one more critical play than South Adams.”
O’Dell emphasized the “little things.” “We didn’t execute on the minor details,” he said. “Little things add up.”
His message to the team was clear: “We can’t give games away.” Against strong teams, we can’t hand them opportunities.”
For Heritage, this win was more than a streak-snapper. It proved focused effort can shift momentum and a pivotal meeting can ignite transformation.
Heritage visits Southern Wells tomorrow; South Adams travels to Union City.
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