Northern Tier Sports ReportEAST TROY — It took extra softball but Towanda pushed two runs across in the ninth to edge Troy, 6-4 in nine innings during NTL action Thursday.
Troy went up 1-0 in the third but a 4-run fourth from the Knights put them on top. The Trojan chipped away, scoring two in the sixth, and one more in the seventh to send it into extra innings.
After a scoreless eighth Towanda got back to back run scoring singles from Aleah Johnson and Brynsen Vargason to take the lead, and secure the win.
“Our defense played a great game tonight,” said Towanda coach Caitlyn Crawford. “Tae-Lynn (Brabant) pitched to a very hard line-up, and her defense backed her up. I’m very proud of the entire team, every girl contributed in tonight’s win.”
Johnson (3-for-5) led the Knights at the plate as Kynlee Kunkle (1-for-3) scored twice and had 2-RBI. Vargason (1-for-3) had an RBI, with Leila Cobb (1-for-3), Molly Roberts, and Brabant all scoring.
Payton Perry (1-for-5) chipped in with a hit, while Brabant also had an RBI.
Brabant struck out two with three walks, six hits, and four runs, two of which were earned as she went the distance for the win, ultimately throwing 113 pitches.
For Troy Lauren Ridall (3-for-4) had a home run, a double, 2-RBI, and two runs scored, as Lauren Reed (1-for-4) drove in a run.
Kali Ayres and Haidyn Watson both scored, as Erinn Knapp (1-for-2) and Madi Palmer (1-for-4) each had a hit.
Knapp started, and went 3 1/3-innings with four strikeouts, six walks, one hit, and four runs, two of which were earned.
Olivia Champluvier went the final 5 2/3-innings with six strikeouts, three hits, four walks, and two runs, none of which were earned.
Ridall got Troy on the scoreboard with a solo shot in the third inning.
In the fourth Cobb reached on a fielder’s choice followed by Caedence Wells and Roberts both drawing a walk. Cobb later scored on a passed ball for a 1-1 ball game.
Kunkle then used a bunt to bring in Ily Benjamin, Wells’ courtesy runner, and Roberts both scored to make it 3-1.
Perry kept the rally going with a single, with Brabant bringing in Kunkle on a ground out to go up 4-1.
In the bottom of the sixth Ridall led off with a double, followed by Ayres drawing a walk. After an out Ridall would score on an error off the bat of Palmer.
Reed then brought in Ayres with a ground out to cut it to 4-3.
In the seventh Watson drew a 2-out walk to keep the Trojans alive, then Ridall doubled her in to knot the game up at 4-4.
In the ninth Kunkle and Brabant both reached on walks. Then, with two outs, Johnson drove in Kunkle, followed by Vargason bringing Brabant for the 2-run cushion.
Troy would go down in order in the bottom half of the inning as Towanda got the win.
Troy (12-6) will wait to see who they get in the playoffs while Towanda (11-5) hosts Athens on Friday with a 4:30 p.m. start.
