Epic inning leads to first victory for Liberty softball team

LIBERTY, Ill. — The inning that kept going and going and going ultimately ended with the Liberty softball team scoring enough runs to create a cushion the Eagles needed to withstand Rushville-Industry’s rally.

The Eagles scored 12 runs in the bottom of the sixth inning Wednesday, only to see the Rockets come back with four runs in the top of the seventh inning before freshman Chandler John induced an infield popup to finish off a 17-15 victory.

Liberty trailed 11-5 after allowing five runs in the top of the sixth, only to see that deficit get erased by scoring seven runs with two outs in the bottom of the frame.

Anna Wheelock reached on an error leading off the sixth, and four consecutive singles by Andi Mixer, Ava Heming, Ally Lefringhouse and Camdyn Ormond followed, resulting in three runs. Tiffanie Will then smacked a two-run home run to pull the Eagles within a run.

After a groundout for the second out of the inning, Jacie Blair got the rally going again when she reached on an error. Consecutive singles by John and Karlee Obert led to Blair scoring the tying run, before an error allowed the go-ahead run to score.

Heming followed with a three-run home run. A Lefringhouse walk, an Ormond double and a Will single plated the final two runs.

Rushville used a grand slam in the top of the seventh to pull within 17-15, but John was able to sandwich a single between a groundout and the game-ending popout to secure the Eagles’ first victory of the season.

Heming went 3 for 5 with a home run and three RBIs, while Ormond was 3 for 4 with a double, three runs scored and two RBIs and Will went 3 for 3 with a double, a home run and three RBIs. John and Mixer each had two hits.

John struck out five and walked five in earning the victory.