Normandy walks off Bay Softball in eighth inning, 11-10

Bay Softball dropped an 11-10 extra-inning decision to Normandy on Wednesday at Nike Site Park in Parma, with the game ending on a walk-off play in the bottom of the eighth. Tied at 10, Normandy pushed across the winning run when Aleiyha Aponte induced Pollock to hit into a fielder's choice, but the run scored before Bay could escape the inning.

The Rockets built the lead early and looked in control for much of the afternoon. Ella Taulbee opened Bay's scoring in the first inning with an RBI single. After Normandy answered with the help of a Bay error to tie the game 1-1 in the bottom half, Bay moved back in front in the second. Julia Mavis singled to right field to drive in a run, and Aponte followed with a single to center to make it 3-1.

Bay added four more runs in the third inning to stretch the margin. Taulbee, Aponte and Caitie Petersen each drew run-scoring walks, and Lizzie McFarland lined a single down the right-field line to bring home another run. The Rockets finished with 10 hits and continued to pressure Normandy's pitching staff with patient at-bats, drawing five walks in the game. Olivia Stehlik led Bay with two walks.

Aponte also delivered one of Bay's top offensive performances, going 3-for-4 with four RBIs while hitting in the middle of the order. Mavis matched her with three hits, and Taulbee added two hits in four at-bats. In the circle, Aponte worked 7 1/3 innings, allowing 11 runs, eight earned, on eight hits with 11 strikeouts and five walks.

Normandy stayed within reach and then produced its biggest swing in the bottom of the seventh, scoring six runs on four hits to erase Bay's advantage. Kuhm's double brought home three runs, Karlak added an RBI single, and Kirk followed with a two-run single to force extra innings. Normandy pitcher Ramirez went the distance for the win, allowing 10 runs, five earned, on 10 hits over eight innings while striking out 12 and walking five.

Normandy also made Bay pay on the bases and in the field. Pollock and Skidmore each stole multiple bases as Normandy finished with five steals, while the hosts played error-free defense. Garcia handled 12 chances in the field. Bay, despite the loss, got strong production throughout the lineup and will try to carry that offensive rhythm into its next game Monday at Valley Forge.