Stow Hangs onto Win Against Strongsville, Perfect Record

Both Stow and Strongsville softball teams entered the game with undefeated records at an early point in the season. The Lady Bulldogs were 2-0 while the Lady Mustangs of Strongsville were also undefeated at 3-0.

Strongsville got on the scoreboard first scoring a single run in the bottom of the first inning. Stow responded in the top of the second taking a 2-1 lead. Lindsey Jones and Alisha Habyan both reached base safely on Strongsville errors with Jones scoring on the second error. A sacrifice bunt by Danielle Tiller followed by a two-out single by Chloe Vickery plated Stow’s second run.

Strongsville tied the score at 2-2 in the bottom of the second inning and then took a 4-2 lead scoring two runs in the third inning.

In the top of the fifth inning the Lady Bulldogs regained the lead while scoring three more runs. With one out, Annette Fetter reach base on a walk and Vickery was safe on a fielder’s choice play. came through with a double to center field scoring both runners. Rooney then scored on an Alex Shaver double as Stow took a 5-4 lead.

Strongsville responded with two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, retaking the lead by a score of 6-5. In the sixth inning Stow tied the score at 6-6. Jones reached base on an error and was driven home by Tiller with a one out single base hit.

The score remained tied at 6 through the seventh inning sending the game into extra innings.

In the top of top of the eighth inning, Jones led off with a double and plated the go-ahead run on a Tiller infield hit. After going to second on a stolen base, Tiller was driven  home by Fetter's single to left for the second Stow run in the inning, giving the Lady Bulldogs an 8-6 lead.

Strongsville could only score a single run in the bottom of the eighth inning giving Fetter her second complete game win of the young season, while recording 7 strikeouts in the contest.

Rooney had 2 hits for Stow, a single and a double, scored a run and had 2 RBIs. Tillerwas two for three, both single base hits, scored a run and recorded 2 RBI. Shaver, Jones,Fetter and Vickery had a single hit a piece for Stow.

Editor's note: Edward Fetter submitted information for this story.