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Pymatuning Valley softball nips Bristol

BRISTOLVILLE – For five innings, the Bristol softball team had Pymatuning Valley’s number. The Lakers, however, turned the tide on the Panthers over the final two to pull off a 4-3 come-from-behind victory in Northeastern Athletic Conference play Friday at Bristol.

“First of all, we’re a young team,” PV coach Andy Gray said. “We know we’re a young team. I’m very proud of the way we fought back from being down, 3-0. Our bats weren’t clicking the first five innings. We just couldn’t get that hit. In the sixth and seventh, we gradually got better. We gained confidence. We knew we could. We got key hits, especially in the seventh inning.”

It was a tough loss for the Panthers (2-3, 2-1), who showed growth over their previous contests.

“Actually, it was a really good game for us,” Bristol coach Emily Woodford said. “We had two rough games. One thing we learned tonight was one play doesn’t make a game.

“These kids are my kids, they’re not just ballplayers. There was a lot of heart they brought out here. They let each other know it’s not about me, me, me. It was about everyone on the team.”

Trailing, 3-0, entering the top of the sixth, the Lakers (2-1, 2-1) had a big hill to climb. Bristol hurler Kayla Switzer had limited the PV hitters to just two singles, had fanned eight and did not allow a runner to reach third base.

“She had confidence in herself,” Woodford said. “She came in strong and wasn’t letting down. I call the pitches, but (catcher Autumn Miller) is an asset, too. She lets (Switzer) know what’s going on and even when she’s batting, she watching what’s getting called.”

The Panthers scored their first run in the home half of the third when Laura Davis scored after Hannah Kurtz bunted and PV pitcher Madison Hurst fielded it cleanly, but did not make a throw to either the plate or first base. That left the Lakers down, 1-0, with Kurtz on first and Emily Bush occupying third with one out.

The next sequence of events could very well have cost the Lakers the game and would come back to haunt the Panthers entering the top of the seventh.

Switzer lifted a fly ball to right, which was corralled for the second out. Bush tagged up, but Kurtz was off on contact. PV right fielder Macie Hamilton threw for the plate, but it was cut off by first baseman Alyssa Brenizer, who relayed to second baseman Sydney Milford covering first. While this was happening, Bush crossed the plate prior to Kurtz being ruled out on the force at first.

It was ruled that the run counted, though Gray was unaware at the time, and Bristol led, 2-0, heading to the fourth. Bristol added another run after Kendyl Switzer doubled and scored when Kayla Adams reached on an error.

Pymatuning Valley finally broke through in the sixth, getting to within a run after Sam Kidd scored when Hurst reached on an error. Cassie Burford later scored as Lauren Bals reached on a dropped third strike, making it 3-2 heading to the home half of the inning.

Entering the seventh, Gray became aware that the Panthers score in the third did, in fact, count and appealed to the umpires, touching off a lengthy discussion. It was later determined the run should not have counted, but it was too late to change the ruling and the Lakers remained down, 3-2, with one final chance to take the lead.

Milford started the ball rolling with a one-out double and scored on a two-out triple to right by Kidd to even the score, 3-3.

“(I was thinking) I had to hit a gap,” Kidd said. “And there was no pressure. Yes (I was feeling some pressure), but it’s a reassurance for myself. It calms me. From what I saw, it was pretty far. I did see it fall. I was trying to run as hard as I could, as fast as I could. It felt nice. It felt like a click, easy. When it hits the bat, it just goes.”

Burford plated Kidd for the go-ahead run with a fly ball to left center that went off an outfielder’s head following a miscommunication.

“I was nervous,” Burford said. “But like (Kidd) said, you can’t let the nerves get to you. I was just hoping for the best. I saw (the pitch) was down the middle, I knew it was mine and I let that baby sail. I wasn’t even paying attention. I heard Coach Gray ask if she was OK and asked what happened. I was running my heart out. I hoped there were people on the bases in front of me.”

Hurst struck out the first two she faced in the bottom of the seventh before inducing a ground ball for the final out and the victory. She allowed four hits, struck out 11 and walked no one.

“It was great to have a game like this early,” Gray said. “We were able to come back and get the win with everything we were going against. I hope it gives the girls confidence and lets them know that no matter what, they’re not out of it until the last pitch is thrown.”

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