Lady Pirates late surge not enough as they fall to Indians

After trailing 8-2 at the end of the third inning, the Platte County softball team came all the way back before eventually falling 9-8 to St. Joe Central on a walk-off single on Sept. 8.

The Pirates had a slow start as they only scored one run in each of the first two innings and the Indians offense was rolling early. Central had 14 of its 16 total hits in the first three innings to take a comfortable six-run lead before Platte County refused to give up and responded with three strong offensive innings.

The Pirates scored two runs in the fourth inning when Abby Reynolds had an RBI single and TaKayla’ Lawson had an RBI double. Platte County continued to chip at Central’s lead in the fifth inning when Mackenzie Shields singled and was eventually advanced to home plate to narrow the deficit 8-7.

The Pirates tied the Indians in the top of the sixth inning when a Lawson single resulted in Avery Webster scoring Platte County’s eighth run of the day. Despite the comeback attempt, Central pulled it out 9-8 in the bottom of the seventh inning.

The Pirates ended with 12 total hits as five separate players had two hits each and Lawson led the team with three RBIs. Chloe Helmer started the game on the mound for Platte County, but Kallie Hitzelberger relieved her and struck out two batters.