In Monday's softball showdown between undefeated teams early in the season, Eastern Tech and Perry Hall coaches said the game was a measure of how far their teams have come.
Sidney Weaver from Eastern Institute of Technology checked to see if anyone needed a tape measure.
The senior hit a two-run homer over the left-field fence on a 3-2 pitch in the fifth inning, breaking a tied game and giving host Eastern Tech a lead it would never relinquish, giving Perry Hall a 7-4 lead. I won. Important Baltimore County game.
Weaver led the Mavericks (5-0) with four RBIs and two hits on the day. Riley Kitchin and Jenna Neff each had two RBIs to lead Perry Hall (5-1).
“I thought I had a job there,” said Weaver, a fourth-year student. “I'm pretty sure it was Gracie.” [Himmelman] I was at the base and I knew I had to get her into the base somehow. A little bit of her own mechanics worked for me. ”
This home run started a close game in which the 15th place Gators defeated Eastern. The Gators had three hits and a lot of runners early, and finally took advantage in the third inning when Neff doubled and Kylie Smith and Alyssa Lewis scored to give Perry Hall a 2-0 lead.
Seventh-place Eastern Technical College wasted little time in reaching the tie. After Himmelman doubled to put two runners on base, Weaver flied out to left and Erika Young scored to cut the lead to 2-1. With one out, Audrey Coker grounded out to score Himmelman and tie the game.
After the third inning, Eastern Tech coach Gisele Alvarez removed starting pitcher Leila Bugarini and started sophomore Shauna Dyer. She pitched a scoreless game in the top of the fourth inning. In the fifth inning, Perry Hall's Alyssa Lewis hit a triple with one out, but Dyer gave in and popped out Riley Kitchin, and Neff struck out, forcing Lewis to third base.
Weaver's home run gave Eastern their first lead of the game, and Dyer got even better. She also pitched a scoreless run in the top of the sixth inning, holding a 4-2 lead.
The Mavericks broke the game in the bottom of the sixth inning. Maddie Bohart led off with a single, and Neff came on as a pinch hitter for Perry Hall. After retiring the next two batters, Weaver doubled to score Bohart for a 5-2 lead. In his next at-bat, Coker singled and Himmelman and Weaver scored to extend the lead to 7-2.
Dyer allowed two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, but he shut down Perry Hall before he could catch up.
“This was a game we knew could push us and show us where we were,” Alvarez said. “This is just the first step. We're both on competitive programs and we really liked the competitiveness of this game. They're trying to assert themselves in this league, but we is still Eastern Tech.”
Perry Hall coach Denny Lee said the game will be a learning experience for his team.
“They hit the ball well,” Lee said. [Starter] emma [Kitchin] Good pitch, then Jenna followed. Sydney Weaver hit a good shot over the fence and I can't wait until they visit us in a few weeks. ”
perry hall — 002 000 2 – 4 7 2
eastern tech — 002 023 X – 7 9 0
WP – S. Dyer; LP – A. Chitin
2B: PH – Neff; ET – Himmelman, Weaver, Dyer. Triple: PH – Lewis. Home run: ET – Weaver.
