CHESTERLAND–After giving up four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning in a loss to Perry earlier this season, the West Geauga Wolverines had Friday’s rematch against the Pirates circled on their calendar.
This time, the Wolverines protected their lead and thwarted a Perry rally in the top of the seventh to earn a season split with the Pirates on Friday, 3-2.
“We lost to them the first time we played them,” said West Geauga’s Cara Day. “Today was such a great day. The comeback was so great for us. I am proud of how we all did today.”
Perry struck first with a run in the top of the first inning.
Elise Strahan drew a leadoff walk, Lilly Agostine singled, and Emma Pietrzak roped a two-out single to center that plated Strahan.
The Wolverines tied it in the second when Haley Ottman hit a leadoff triple and scored on Lely Percassi’s RBI single.
West Geauga took the lead for good with two runs in the fifth.
Day hit a one-out single and Michaela Platt followed with a single. Day then scored on Shaylynn Rogaski’s groundout, and Julia Clark followed with an RBI single that gave the Wolverines a 3-1 lead.
The Pirates made one last run at the Wolverines in the seventh.
Pietrzak and Sydney Collins hit back-to-back doubles to cut the West G lead to 3-2, but Ottman retired the next three Pirates to secure the win.
Ottman allowed two runs on four hits and struck out three to earn the pitching victory.
Clark, Percassi, and Day each finished the game 2-for-3.
“I started off swinging at bad pitches, but then I got the hang of it because yesterday’s pitcher was faster,” Percassi said. “Then, when I hit that fly ball and she did not catch it, I was thrilled.”
Pietrzak led the Pirates with two hits.
West Geauga travels to Cardinal on Saturday.
