Late runs lift Reardan to win over Davenport

REARDAN – The Screaming Eagles scored five runs in the last two innings to beat Davenport 8-7 in a Northeast 2B softball matchup Tuesday, March 25.

Fans from both schools basked in the sun to watch Reardan's home opener against its biggest rival on the season's first short-sleeved day.

In the first inning, Davenport's Samantha Stiles was just as hot. On the second pitch of the game, she launched Shyla Nortz's pitch into right field and raced around the bases to score on an inside-the-park home run. Minutes later Alyssa Kruger hit a double to score Faith Bell, giving the Gorillas a 2-0 lead.

Stiles, Bell, Kruger and McCall Knopp each scored in the top of the second inning to give Davenport a 6-0 lead.

In the bottom of the second inning Kira Hoff, Mya Leibfried and Hadley Landreth all scored to bring the Screaming Eagles to within three runs at 6-3.

In the fifth inning Davenport's Scout Sewell scored to extend the Gorillas' lead to 7-3.

Reardan's bats came alive in the bottom of the sixth inning. Olivia Wicks opened the inning with a walk. Kaylynn Clouse followed with a shot to left field for a single. Leibfried brought both home with a drive to left field to make the score 7-5. Landreth followed with a double to left field to score Leibfried. At the end of six innings, the Gorillas clung to a 7-6 lead.

In the top of the seventh inning, Reardan quickly retired the side.

Wicks got things going for the Screaming Eagles in the bottom of the seventh. She stroked a single into left field to become the tying run. Kaylynn Clouse followed with another single to become the potential winning run. Kira Hoff hit a walk-off double into left field that sent both Wicks and Clouse home to score Reardan's seventh and eight runs in the 8-7 win.

"The girls never quit tonight," Reardan coach Anthony Wicks said. "They hustled the entire way through. I am proud of the way they fought back to win. The hits we got from Olivia, Kaylynn and Kyra in the last inning is about as clutch as you can get."

Leibfried praised her teammates for not giving up when they were behind.

"The difference in this game is that we played with confidence, even when we were down," she said. "In order to get better, we need to work on our communication, especially in the outfield." She was especially proud of Wicks and Clouse.

"They were really dedicated to the game. They hit the ball well and played good defense."

Davenport assistant coach Josie Phillips was pleased with her team's fast start but disappointed with its late game letdown.

"We came out firing and need to keep that momentum rolling throughout the entire game," she said. "Defensively we played very well and didn't have a lot of errors. Faith Bell had several great catches as did Scout Sewell and McCall Knopp. We just need to keep our energy high and stay mentally in the game."