Harvey scored four early runs and then held off host Orange the rest of the way in a 9-6 win on Wednesday.
With the victory, the Red Raiders remained atop the standings in the Chagrin Valley Conference Chagrin Division with a 4-0 record.
“We approach each game with the mentality to play Harvey softball–stay within ourselves and take care of business,” said Harvey coach Betsy Hada. “This is just another game in the win column. We’ll celebrate tonight, but tomorrow it’s back to work. We’ve got to stay focused and prepare for the next challenge.”
Dana Ramirez hit a two-out single to start Harvey’s first-inning rally. Payton Robertson then walked, and Abby Patlan’s RBI single gave the Red Raiders a 1-0 lead. Veronica Pacheco tripled home two runs and scored on a passed ball.
Patlan missed the first half of the season with an injury. She has batted .500 since her return.
The score remained that way until the fourth when the Red Raiders tacked on a run.
Samantha Boykin reached on a fielder’s choice and scored on an error, pushing Harvey’s lead to 5-0.
Orange responded with two runs in the bottom of the frame.
Kelsey Lewis and Emily Utech both hit inside-the-park homers to pull the Lions to within 5-2.
The Lions scored four more runs in the bottom of the fifth.
Emma Saks drew a one-out walk, and Jillian Yard reached on an error that cut Harvey’s lead to 5-3. After an intentional walk to Lewis, Halle Arnold reached on an error, and then Sarah Korland singled to left. An error allowed three runs to score, giving the Lions their first lead, 6-5.
Harvey scored four runs in the top of the seventh to seal its win.
Giselle Moreno drew a leadoff walk, Jealeiny Serrano singled, and Holloway walked, loading the bases. Boykin was hit by a pitch, forcing in the tying run, and Robertson singled with one out, pushing the lead to 7-6. Patlan followed with a bases-clearing triple to close out the scoring.
“We came out strong, putting up four runs in the first inning and setting the tone early,” Hada said. “The bats stayed hot all game, and when we found ourselves trailing by one in the seventh, our team didn’t flinch. We rallied and pushed across four more runs to take the lead and lock down the win.”
Boykin went the distance in the circle for the Red Raiders, allowing two earned runs on four hits and striking out 17 batters. She now has 123 strikeouts in 64 1/3 innings.
“Samantha is really coming into her own,” Hada said. “She struck out 17 today, but it’s more than just the numbers—it’s how she carries herself. She doesn’t get rattled. After giving up a solid hit to one of the best hitters in their lineup, she just locked right back in and struck out the next batter. That’s the kind of presence you want in the circle. She understands the game within the game, and she puts the team on her back when we need her most.”
Patlan finished 3-for-5 with three RBI, and Pacheco was 2-for-4 with two RBI.
“Veronica Pacheco and Abby Patlan came through in a big way, driving in five of our nine total runs,” Hada said. “Their clutch performances at the plate demonstrate that every spot in our lineup is dangerous. On defense, Dana Ramirez and Payton Robertson made two incredible athletic plays to stop bunt for a hit attempts.”
Holloway, Ramirez, and Robertson finished with two hits for the Red Raiders.
“This win was all about team effort, energy, and finding a way to get it done when it mattered most,” Hada said.
Lewis, Korland, Utech, and Saks finished with hits for the Lions. Clare Hess allowed seven runs on 13 hits and struck out one.
