Payson Seymour softball team erases three-run deficit in sixth inning, rallies to edge Central

PAYSON, Ill. — A pair of passed balls brought in the tying and winning runs for the Payson Seymour softball team, which rallied for a 5-4 victory over Camp Point Central on Tuesday.

The Indians trailed 4-3 entering the bottom of the seventh. Tori Hugenberg led off the inning with a single up the middle. Samantha Hugenberg popped out, then Megan Kirby beat out a bunt single and Ella Archer walked to load the bases for Ella Bower. The first pitch to Bower got past catcher Rebekkah Waterkotte, allowing Tori Hugenberg to score the tying run.

Braizley Allison struck out Bower, bringing Bryn Buescher to the plate with two outs. On a 1-1 pitch to Buescher, the ball again got away from Waterkotte, and Kirby raced home to win the game for the Indians.

Central led 4-1 in the bottom of the sixth, but an error and a passed ball in the same at-bat brought in two runs to get the Indians within one.

Samantha Hugenberg went 3 for 4 for Payson Seymour (13-12-1), and Karly Peters went 4 for 4 for Central (14-6). The Indians will host Rushville-Industry on Thursday before closing the regular season Friday against Triopia. Central will play its final home game of the season Wednesday against Quincy Notre Dame before a road game against Winchester West Central in the regular season finale.