Mikes win marathon game; tie Bucs for section lead
HOUSTON — It took 16 days to finish one of the longest games in the softball history of Chartiers-Houston and Carmichaels.
In the end, Carmichaels survived a base-loaded, one-out situation in the bottom of the 14th inning and finally put Chartiers-Houston away with two runs and no hits in the top of the 15th to come away with a 7-5 victory in what both head coaches believe was the longest in their respective program’s history.
The win left Chartiers-Houston at 11-1 in Section 2 of Class A and 13-2 overall. The Bucs have no games left on the schedule. Carmichaels moves to 10-1 in the sections and 12-2 overall with a game remaining at Jefferson-Morgan (6-5, 6-7) on Monday to complete the regular season.
Ali Jacobs, Carmichaels first baseman and cleanup hitter, sent a deep fly ball to right field that scored Kaitlyn Waggett with the first run of the 15th inning at Allison Elementary School Thursday. Waggett started the inning on second base under the WPIAL extra-innings rules and came around to score on Jacobs’ sacrifice fly. Bailey Barnyak walked, went to second on an intentional walk to Carys McConnell, took third on a wild pitch and scored on an error at second base.
“It was the best out I made all year,” said Jacobs, who went 0-for-5. “I thought it went a little further back but, honestly, I didn’t care because it got that run in. I can’t be mad about making an out.”
The game began Tuesday April 16 and neither team was able to snap a 5-5 tie when the game was called after 13 innings because of darkness.
Most thought the game would be made up that Friday, April 19 when the two teams met in Carmichaels but the decision was made to finish it Thursday. Both Chartiers-Houston and Carmichaels have qualified for the WPIAL playoffs.
Chartiers-Houston loaded the bases in the bottom of the 14th inning but Barnyak, who had 19 strikeouts, struck out the last two batters of the inning to get out of the jam.
“It’s a big game and both teams are going to be up for it whether it’s one inning or 10,” said C-H head coach Trisha Alderson. “The difference in this game is that they were able to put the ball in play with runners on base and they got a sac fly and put the ball in play. We usually put the ball in play.”
McConnell had a double and triple while driving in two runs.
Carmichaels scored in the first inning without the benefit of a hit. Waggett struck out but the C-H catcher couldn’t hold onto the ball and Waggett beat the throw to first base. She stole second base and moved to third on another strikeout that got away and scored on a wild pitch.
Chartiers-Houston tied the score in the third when C-H pitcher Meadow Ferri doubled in one run and scored on an error. The Bucs went up 4-2 in the fourth. Emily Swarrow doubled to left field and Alexas Fetsko was hit by a pitch. Ella Richey drove them both in with a double to left field.
Carmichaels tied the game in the top of the seventh. Each team scored a run in the 10th but that was it and the game was suspended three innings later.
“We played well,” said Carmichaels head coach Dave Briggs. “We executed. They are a good team and we are probably going to see them down the road. I was happy for Ali J. We’ll enjoy this win. It was probably poetic justice we were able to get the win today.”
Chartiers-Houston starter Meadow Ferri had 30 strikeouts.