Softball team rallies to down ICC rival

Devils rally from 3-0 deficit to top West Branch in a runaway

Despite+trailing+big+early+on+the+road%2C+the+Blue+Devil+softball+team+rallied+for+a+big+win+at+West+Branch.

Jeff Miller

Despite trailing big early on the road, the Blue Devil softball team rallied for a big win at West Branch.

Joe Padula, Staff Writer

Last night the B-A softball team traveled to Morrisdale to take on the Warriors of West Branch, defeating them 12-4 in the season opener.

West Branch got off to a hot start, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first inning for a 3-0 lead.

With facing one of the league’s best pitchers in Rachel Myers, a three run lead appeared to be plenty for the Warrior’s ace.

However the Blue Devils keep their composure and didn’t concede to the dominant pitcher, who beat B-A last year and struck out 17 in the process.

B-A chipped away at the lead in the top half of the second by scoring one run on a Saige McElwain RBI double.

Senior and winning pitcher Taylor Shildt led-off the third inning by reaching on an error and advanced to second. Laycee Clark then tallied one of her three hits and one of her two RBI’s as she hit an RBI double to score Shildt. Eyden Convery later singled and scored Clark. At the end of the inning the game was tied at 3.

B-A’s offense exploded in the final three innings, scoring eight runs to eventually take the eight-run victory

Head Coach Jim Panye was pleased with his team’s grit and ability to overcome the early deficit and win the game.

“Being down in a game by three runs the kids just decided to chip away and stay steady as opposed to panicking,” he said.