Home Local Sports Appoquinimink caps softball comeback with seventh-inning run to best Archmere

Appoquinimink caps softball comeback with seventh-inning run to best Archmere

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CLAYMONT – Appoquinimink scored three times in the final two innings to complete a 4-3 comeback against Archmere in nonconference softball April 17 in Claymont. Mallory Weir brought home the eventual winning run on a groundout in the top of the seventh inning to help the Lady Jaguars remain undefeated on the season.

Madi Wallace of Archmere rolls into third base on a two-RBI triple in the fourth inning of the Auks’ game against Appoquinimink. (The Dialog/Mike Lang)

The Lady Jags entered the sixth inning trailing the Auks by a pair, 3-1, but that deficit quickly disappeared. Taylor Vitola led off with an infield single, and Weir followed with a hit-and-run double to the fence in left-center that scored Vitola. Weir, the catcher, was replaced by courtesy runner Jillian Dawson. An out later, Autumn Gentry added an infield single to put runners at the corners, and Alicia Bruce brought Dawson home with a sacrifice fly to center field.

The Auks went quietly in their half of the sixth against Appo pitcher Kourtney McNatt, setting the stage for the seventh-inning developments. Archmere pitcher Kayla Murray surrendered a one-out double to Andrea Johnson, who moved to third on a bunt single by Vitola. Weir followed with a grounder to second base, and as Vitola was forced at second, Johnson came home with the decisive run.

The Auks threatened in the bottom half, putting two runners on base against McNatt. Lauren Simpson walked with one out, and after a strikeout, Annie Penrod reached on an infield single. McNatt, however, ended any hope of a comeback by retiring Madi Wallace on a ground ball back to the circle.

Kourtney McNatt of Appo throws to first baseman Brooke Miller to retire Archmere’s Mackenzie Popp. (The Dialog/Mike Lang)

The game belonged to the pitchers through the fast-moving first three innings on a cold, damp afternoon that included a few minutes of snow flurries. Each team scored one run in the fourth, Appo on a groundout, and the Auks on a sacrifice bunt and throwing error.

The Auks took the lead in their half of the fifth. Mackenzie Popp opened with a single up the middle, and Ciara Trigg walked. McNatt retired the next two hitters, but Wallace walloped a triple to the fence in right-center, scoring both runs.

Archmere (2-6) will try to snap a four-game losing streak Thursday at 3:45 p.m. when St. Elizabeth visits.

McNatt had 13 strikeouts for the Lady Jags (6-0). Appo travels to Delcastle on Thursday for a 4 p.m. start.

Jocelyn Phillips lines up a catch in center field. (The Dialog/Mike Lang)