Bay drops 15-7 softball game at Westlake despite 13-hit effort
Westlake answered Bay’s early lead with a string of run-producing small-ball plays and pulled away for a 15-7 win over the Rockets in a varsity softball game Tuesday at Westlake High School.
Bay finished with more hits than Westlake, 13-10, but the Demons turned patience at the plate and aggressive baserunning into the decisive difference. Westlake drew eight walks, stole six bases and took advantage of defensive miscues while remaining error-free in the field.
The Demons struck first in the bottom of the first inning. Maddie Moden brought home a run with a sacrifice fly, and Marissa Horvath later walked with the bases loaded to make it 2-0. Bay responded in the top of the second and briefly grabbed control. Olivia Stehlik and Julia Mavis delivered run-scoring singles as the Rockets moved in front 3-2.
That lead did not last long. In the bottom of the second, Westlake went back ahead when Olivia Williamson put down a sacrifice bunt that produced a run and Carson Schneider added another on a walk. The Demons added on again in the third behind a Williamson RBI single and a sacrifice fly from Trudy Rocco, extending their advantage and shifting the game’s momentum.
Mavis paced Bay’s offense with a perfect 4-for-4 day. She singled in the first, second, fourth and fifth innings and consistently kept pressure on Westlake’s defense. Caitie Petersen and Stehlik also finished with multiple hits as Bay continued to produce chances throughout the game.
Aleiyha Aponte took the loss for Bay, working 4 2/3 innings. She allowed 13 runs, four earned, on seven hits, struck out six and walked seven. Westlake’s Cydney Loucka earned the win after allowing 13 hits and seven runs over 4 2/3 innings, with one strikeout and one walk. For the Demons, leadoff hitter Riley Knapp went 3 for 5, while Moden, Kylie Colacarro and Williamson each drove in two runs. Rocco and Horvath each stole multiple bases, and Rocco handled five chances defensively as Westlake played a clean game.
Bay will try to turn its strong offensive showing into a better result Wednesday when the Rockets face Lakewood in their next game.
