Bay Softball falls to Rocky River, 4-1, as Pirates build early lead

Bay Softball dropped a 4-1 decision to Rocky River on Thursday at Bay High School, with the decisive stretch coming in the first two innings as the Pirates scored all four of their runs early and then rode a dominant outing from Reagan Kane.

Rocky River took the lead in the top of the first when Maggie Heigle brought home a run on a groundout. The Pirates added three more in the second. Bay committed an error that allowed one run to score, and Maddie Sollars followed with a groundout that plated another as Rocky River built a cushion the Rockets could not erase.

Kane controlled the game from the circle for Rocky River, allowing one hit and one run over seven innings while striking out 15 and walking one. Bay’s best chance came from Lizzie McFarland, who drove in the Rockets’ lone run. Aleiyha Aponte accounted for Bay’s only hit, finishing 1 for 2 at the plate.

Aponte also went the distance for the Rockets and kept the game from getting away. She worked all seven innings, allowing four runs, two earned, on seven hits while striking out four and walking six. Despite the loss, Bay stayed within reach behind her effort in the circle and limited the damage after Rocky River’s early push.

Rocky River’s No. 8 hitter, Addie Dietrich, led the Pirates with two hits in four at-bats. Elizabeth Smalley and Elleana Biscardi each drew two walks as Rocky River finished with six free passes and four stolen bases. The Pirates were also clean defensively, committing no errors, and Heigle handled a team-high 15 chances in the field.

For Bay, the loss sends the Rockets into a quick turnaround. The team is scheduled to host Brookside on Friday in its next game.