by Devan Matthews

Correspondent

As far as championship contests go, it doesn't get much more exciting than the Maple Heights softball team's game against Bedford at home on May 7.

Although it wasn't officially a title tilt, the rules were simple. If the Mustangs won, they clinched the outright championship. If the Bearcats emerged victorious, they would be crowned as the champions.

When all was said and done, Maple Heights pulled out an exciting 6-5 victory. As a result, the Mustangs captured their second straight Lake Erie League Erie Division title.

"It was an awesome game," said Maple Heights head coach Rocco Covelli. "It was a little cold and a little windy. It had all the elements of a football game."

The Mustangs fell behind when Bedford scored two early runs. Maple Heights wasn't able to manage a hit through the first three innings.

However, the Mustangs broke through in the fourth frame, scoring four runs to seize the lead. Arlene Foster contributed the big hit of the inning, a two-run double.

Maple Heights added another run in the fifth frame when Sam DeJarnett drove in that run with an RBI single.

Consequently, the Mustangs headed to the top of the sixth inning with a 5-2 lead.

Bedford, however, didn't go down without a fight. The Bearcats tallied three runs in their half of the sixth stanza to tie the game 5-5.

"They had some timely hits," said Covelli. "They had a runner on third base with two outs, and the next batter hit a ground ball to Krystina Pace at third base. Krystina made an excellent throw home to get the out and end the inning."

In the bottom of the sixth frame, Ashley Borden led off with a base hit down the third base line. Then Monica Daniel, attempting to sacrifice Borden to second, reached base on a bunt single.

The next batter, Tai Lattimore, walked to load the bases with nobody out. After a strikeout, Crystal Alexander hit a sharp line drive between the shortstop and the third baseman, who managed to snag the ball. She stepped on the bag at third base for a fielder's choice, but Borden still scored the go-ahead run.

One of Bedford's better hitters led off the top of the seventh frame. She had already touched up Maple Heights pitcher DeJarnett for a triple earlier in the ballgame.

"We decided to challenge her, and we were able to jam her, but she still got a hit to right field," said Covelli.

The next batter hit a ground ball on the first pitch, and the Mustangs threw her out. Another ground ball put the leadoff batter at third base with two outs.

The game was exciting right down to the final play.

"The next batter drilled the ball," said Covelli. "It was about two inches off the ground, but Borden made a line-drive catch to end the game. It was definitely an action-packed game, and the best part was the good sportsmanship that was displayed by both teams. It was very nice."

Also nice is the fact that the Mustangs repeated as division champions, after winning the title for the first time in school history last year.

"There's no doubt about it," said Covelli. "It's pretty sweet."

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