Houston Steals Win With 6-run Seventh

It appeared over.  Already up 1-0, GMLOK softball scored four in the bottom of the sixth to lead Houston 5-0.  Bulldog Pitcher Lily Hughes had tossed a no-hitter through five, a one-hitter through six.  What were the chances the ‘Canes would amass seven hits and six runs in an inning (the seventh)?   Four of Houston’s first five hitters reached.  Just one run scored (5-1).  The ‘Canes were down to their last out with runners on first and second.   Gretchen Hill then singled to load the bases. Alyssa Rostad followed with the game’s biggest hit, a three-run (off the glove) double to deep left center.  Houston trailed 5-4.   A-Rostad moved to third on a wild pitch.  Becca Rostad walked.  Then the game’s next huge (gutsy) play; lefty 8th grader Olivia Beckman laid down a pop-up-deadened bunt.   It would’ve been a close play at first (probably safe), but the throw went into right field.   Both Rostads scored (Becca all the way from first).  Melanie Schultz’s crew went ahead 6-5!  GMLOK went quietly in their seventh.  Houston stole the win.  A-Rostad (2-4, 2B, 3 RBI, R) broke up the no-hitter in the sixth, in addition to her seventh inning hit.  Jeana Hahn (2-4) also had two hits, both in the seventh.  Richelle Botcher (7 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 1 BB, 1 K) picked up the win.  Rylie Groom (2-3, two 2B, 2 RBI, R) and Zoe Scrabeck (2-3, R) had two hits for the Bulldogs.  In defeat, Hughes struck out 10 for an eighth time this season (7 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 0 ER, 3 BB).