Softball: Union City splits with Climax Scotts; Bronson splits with Brandywine

UNION CITY — The Union City Lady Chargers battled their way to a hard-fought split with Climax Scotts Thursday, falling in game one, 9-1, then winning the nightcap, 16-5.

In game one, Union City struggled to get going offensively. Climax Scotts scored two runs in the second inning, two in the third, three in the fourth and two in the fifth, while Union City added its lone run in the fourth inning.

Brooklynne Schley took the loss on the mound for Union City, throwing all seven innings, allowing nine runs on 11 hits with seven strikeouts. Schley continues to make strides in this her first season on the mound.

Union City struggled at the plate, managing three hits. Willow Austin and Carley Gordon each had a single and Emily DeLisle a double.

In game two, Union City wasted got the offense rolling, scoring four runs in the first inning alone. The Chargers followed that with three in the second and nine in the fourth inning. Climax Scotts got two runs in the first and three in the third. Union City’s offense came up big, knocking out a total of 19 hits.

Emily Delisle had a big game at the plate, going 4-for-4 with four singles. Aislynn Phelps also had a big game at the plate, going 4-for-4 with three singles and a triple. Mara Bailey added a single and a double.

Also adding to the Union City offensive effort was Willow Austin with three singles; Brooklynne Schley with three singles; Carley Gordon with a single and a double; Hope Schley with a single; and freshman Braylynne Myers with a big RBI.

Carley Gordon took the win on the mound for Union City after throwing five innings and allowing five runs on three hits with five strikeouts. The Chargers defense stepped up big in game two as well, committing only one fielding error.

“This was the best game we (Union City) have played all year,” said Union City head coach Kerri Adams. “Their bats just came alive and it was so much fun to watch. I’m hoping this is a confidence builder for this young team.”

Bronson softballs splits with Niles Brandywine

NILES — The Bronson Lady Vikings battled with Niles Brandywine Thursday in a pair of high-scoring shootouts, falling in game one 11-10 before taking game two 16-14.

In game one of the twin bill it was Brandywine taking the razor thin 11-10 win with a walk-off play in the bottom of the seventh inning. Brandywine hit pay dirt first, scoring a single run in the first inning only to see Bronson come back with two runs in the second. Brandywine looked to pull away with five runs in the third and one in the fourth to build a 7-2 lead. Bronson came right back with four runs in the sixth inning to close to within 7-6. Brandywine hoped to add some insurance runs with three in the bottom of the sixth, but Bronson answered with four in the top of the seventh to knot the game up at 10-10.

Brandywine started the seventh inning with a single to centerfield. The next batter looked to sacrifice the runner over to second via the bunt but a fielding error by the Vikings allowed the winning run to score from first, ending the game one heartbreak by the score of 11-10.

Lynsey Smith took the loss on the mound for Bronson after throwing all seven innings, allowing 11 runs, six earned, on 14 hits, including three home runs. Smith walked only three batters and struck out five.

Jadyn Cary led the Bronson offense with two singles, two RBIs and a stolen base. Also adding to the Bronson effort was Kaylee Wilber with a single and a stolen base; Haylie Wilson with two singles; Brealyn Lasky with a single and a double; Aubree Calloway with a single; and Ciara Blankenship with a single, a double and one RBI.

Game two of the doubleheader saw Bronson out slug Brandywine, holding off a late Bobcat run to take the 16-14 win in five innings.

Bronson looked to take control with six quick runs, putting up three runs in the first and three runs in the second inning. Brandywine answered with a run in the first and two in the third to close to within 6-3 after three innings. Bronson looked to put the game away with five runs in the fourth inning, only to see Brandywine explode for 10 runs in their half of the fourth inning, giving the Bobcats a 13-11 lead. Bronson came back with five runs in the top of the fifth to retake the lead at 16-13 and Brandywine could only muster a single run in the bottom of the fifth to find the final score of 16-14.

Lynsey Smith took the win on the mound after throwing one inning and a third in relief, allowing one run on two hits with a walk.

Addison Harris made the start on the mound for Bronson, throwing three and two-thirds of an inning, allowing 13 runs, three earned, on 13 hits with two strikeouts.

Aubree Calloway hit a big home run in the win, going 2 for 4 with a single, a home run and two Rbis. Kaylee Wilber also had a big game, going 3 for 5 with three singles and an RBI.

Adding to the Bronson winning effort was Jadyn Cary with a single and two Rbis; Haylie Wilson with a triple; Brealyn Lasky with two singles and three rbis; Lynsey Smith with a single; Addison Harris with a single and a double; Cailtyn Hagen with two singles; and Ciara Blankenship with a single.

“We struggled a little defensively tonight, the pitchers as well as the defense,” said Bronson head coach Becky Gray. “However, our bats really came alive. I think this is the best we have hit all year. We just need to work on and fix some things defensively. I am very proud of the way the girls fought and never gave up!”

With the two game split Bronson’s record now stands at 20-10 overall on the season. The Vikings will next see action Saturday when they host their annual Bronson Polish Classic.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Reporter: Softball: Union City splits with Climax Scotts; Bronson splits with Brandywine