Milton tops Lady Hornets on 7th inning walk-off
By: Ed Weaver | NTL Sports | June 3, 2016
With a tied ball game heading into the seventh, the Milton Black Panthers scored a walk-off run to beat defending District IV AA champion Wellsboro, 2-1 on Thursday, June 2.
"It was a hard fought game by both teams," said Wellsboro head coach Greg Carr. "Both teams pitched well, both teams played great defense. I just kind of knew that something like that was how it was going to end, either us or them, and this time it was them. We made a run here the last 6, 7, 8 games and they've been in our favor with a bunch of one run wins, walk-offs, and so on."
After a scoreless first inning, the Lady Hornets scored the game’s first run in the top of the second. Sophomore Alyssa Yungwirth singled then stole second to get into scoring position. Two batters later sophomore Brianne Keane singled to score Yungwirth to make it 1-0.
Milton threatened in the bottom of the inning as leadoff hitter Leighton Chappell singled, then advanced to third, but senior Darci Warriner put an end to the inning on a fly ball. One inning later, however, Milton tied it at 1-1 after Maddie East tripled and Kacee Reitz doubled.
Senior Alexa Singer pitched 4 1/3 innings, striking out 4 and giving up 4 hits and an earned run, before Yungwirth came on in relief and struck out the final two batters to end the fifth.
"We wanted them to see something different," Carr said of the pitching change. "Alexa kept us in there. She had a little rough stretch there and I sensed she kind of bounced out a little bit but got her feet under her and did well. I was waiting for their lineup to get to a certain point to let them see something different and it worked until the second time around with a hit here and a hit there and game's over. It's too bad that it was seven innings instead of eight, but hats off to Milton."
Wellsboro had a chance to do damage in the top of the sixth when sophomore Sydney Tremper led off with a bunt single. Senior Sarah Ingerick then moved her into scoring position one play later. Warriner then advanced Tremper to third on hit to second base. Warriner was initially called safe to put runners on the corners, but the call was overturned, leaving the Lady Hornets two outs. Yungwirth then flew out to end the inning and the scoring threat.
The game remained tied after Yungwirth struck out the side in order in the bottom of the sixth, but Wellsboro was retired in the top of the seventh to put Milton back up at bat. The Lady Hornets retired the first two batters, but with two outs Saige Graham singled down the third base line to get a runner on for Milton. East was then hit by a pitch to move Graham to second, then Graham scored on a walk-off single by Reitz for the winning run.
Keane (1-for-3), freshman Emma Poirier (1-for-2), Tremper (1-for-3), Warriner (1-for-3), and Yungwirth (1-for-3) had all of Wellsboro’s hit in the game, with Poirier’s being a double. Yungwirth takes the loss as she gave up 2 hits, an earned run, a hit batter, and a walk while striking out 5 in 2 2/3 innings of work.
The loss brings an end to the careers of Singer, Ingerick, Warriner, and Jenny Young. Singer finished 69-for-233 (.296) with 19 doubles, 3 triples, 4 home runs, and 50 RBI's at the plate. Singer was also 35-12 (.745) in 55 career starts on the mound. Singer pitched 284 1/3 innings, faced 1,195 batters, struck out 212, and gave up 224 hits and 105 runs.
Ingerick ends her career as Wellsboro's all-time hit leader (118) and the third Lady Hornet to break the 100 career hit mark. Ingerick was 118-for-300 (.393) with 23 doubles, 5 triples, 8 home runs, and 74 RBI's. In the field she recorded 108 put outs, 156 assists, and was also 13-for-15 (.867) in stolen bases. Ingerick led the team this season 32 hits and had a .405 batting average.
Warriner was second on the team in hits (27) and batting average (.403) for the year, and finished her career 56-for-206 (.272) with 18 doubles, 3 triples, 1 home run, and 29 RBI’s. Warriner also recorded 58 put outs with 5 assists and was a perfect 5-for-5 in steals.
Young led the Lady Hornets this year with 23 runs scored and was third on the team in hits (26). For her career she was 68-for-220 (.309) with 10 doubles, 2 triples, and 22 RBI's.
The loss also brings the Coach Carr's career to a close after 9 years with the team.
"We're going to ride off into the sunset together. This was my last year and I can't ask to ride off with any better four kids in my life than those four kids right there. It's kind of a bittersweet end but it's all good."
Carr finishes with a career record of 135-56 (.707), six NTL championships (2008, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016) and the school’s only District IV championship. Carr also has coached 8 girls to the collegiate level, six of whom have or are currently playing, with Young and Ingerick to begin their careers next year.
WellsboroAthletics.com would like to congratulate the Lady Hornets on a great 19-4 season, and would like to congratulate Alexa, Darci, Jenny, and Sarah and Coach Carr on their respective careers.
Ed Weaver is the owner of Circle W Sports in Wellsboro, PA, is the Sports Director for The Home Page Network and the creator of WellsboroAthletics.com and WellsboroFootball.com. You can follow him on Twitter or friend him on Facebook.
