Harvey stormed back from a 5-1 deficit to defeat visiting Orange, 8-5, in a key Chagrin Valley Conference Chagrin Division showdown on Monday.
The previously postponed game began with Orange leading 5-1 with runners on second and third.
“This win was a turning point for our team,” said Harvey coach Betsy Hada. “It wasn’t just about the final score; it was about the way we competed. The growth in our mental toughness, our execution at the plate, and our ability to apply pressure on the bases all reflect the hard work these players have put in. I’m proud of how far we’ve come and excited about where we’re headed.”
Orange struck first with a pair of runs in the top of the first inning.
Clare Hess walked and scored when Halle Arnold reached on an error. Arnold then scored on another Harvey error.
The Red Raiders cut their deficit in half with a run in the bottom of the inning.
Jayla Holloway doubled and scored on Samantha Boykin’s RBI single.
The Lions answered with three more runs in the second.
Jillian Yard drew a one-out walk, and Emma Saks was hit by a pitch. Hess then hit a two-run single, and Arnold reached on a dropped third strike. Kelsey Lewis was intentionally walked. Hess scored on a wild pitch, pushing the Orange lead to 5-1.
It was all Harvey after that.
“When we began play on April 7, we faced challenges from a mental standpoint,” Hada said. “However, today we demonstrated significant growth and resilience as a team. Our approach at the plate was disciplined, resulting in several quality at-bats, and we effectively capitalized on our opponent’s miscues through aggressive and intelligent baserunning.”
The Red Raiders tied the game with three runs in the bottom of the fifth, and took the lead for good with three more runs in the sixth.
Dayanna Soto started the fifth inning rally with a single, and Holloway walked. Boykin followed with an RBI single, and Holloway scored on Payton Robertson’s sacrifice fly. Isla Barajas tied the game with an RBI single.
After a leadoff strikeout in the Harvey sixth, Giselle Moreno and Soto drew back-to-back walks, and Holloway cleared the bases with an inside-the-park home run.
“Jayla stepped up and crushed a shot down the right field line, racing around for an inside-the-park home run, bringing Giselle and Dayanna home with her and giving us the lead,” Hada said.
Boykin went the distance in the circle.
After a slow start, she finished by allowing just two earned runs on one hit, and she struck out 18 batters.
Boykin also went 2-for-4 at the plate with a run scored and two RBI.
Holloway was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with a double and a home run, three runs scored, and three RBI. Barajas, Veronica Pacheco, and Soto also had hits for the Red Raiders, who improved to 9-2 overall and 3-0 in the CVC Chagrin Division.
Hess recorded Orange’s lone hit. She also knocked in two runs and struck out six in six innings of work in the circle.
