MarshfieldAreaSports.com
SPENCER – In a game that featured 33 runs, 41 walks, six errors and just 12 hits – and a steady rain – the Spencer softball team did just enough to move on.
The Rockets came back from an eight-run deficit to force extra innings, then scored a run in the bottom of the ninth to beat Cloverbelt Conference rival Loyal 17-16 in a wildly pitched WIAA Division 4 softball regional semifinal Tuesday at ARC Park.
The wet ball obviously affected Spencer pitcher Nicki Bruss (22 walks) and Loyal hurler Sarah Weyer (19 walks) and the batters were patient enough to come up with enough big hits.
Paige Johnson had three hits and two walks, drove in two runs and scored three times for the Rockets (13-7), who move on to a Division 4 regional final at top-seeded Athens.
Spencer trailed 14-6 after Loyal (9-9) scored seven times in the top of the fourth inning, but the Rockets rallied with nine runs in the bottom of the frame to pull back ahead.
Loyal scored twice in the fifth and Spencer tied the game again at 16-16 with a tally in the bottom of the inning.
After all of the scoring in the first five innings, neither team scored for the next three innings.
Bruss picked up the win, throwing four consecutive scoreless innings after giving up 16 in the first five. She ended up with five strikeouts and gave up eight hits. Eleven of the 16 runs by Loyal were earned.
Deanna Szybowicz added two hits and two RBIs for the Rockets.
Rockets 17, Greyhounds 16 (9 inn.)
Loyal 052 720 000 – 16 8 4
Spencer 123 910 001 – 17 6 2
WP: Nicki Bruss. LP: Sarah Weyer.
SO: Weyer 10; Bruss 5. BB: Weyer 19; Bruss 22.
Top hitters: L, Nikki Karl 2-for-5, 3 SBs; Weyhmiller 2-for-4; Rowley 0-for-0, 6 BBs; Weyer 3 runs, 2 SBs. S, Dani Johnson 4 runs; Paige Johnson 3-for-5, 2B, 3 runs, 2 RBIs; Monica Stange 2 runs, 4 BBs; S. Stelson 2 runs; Deanna Szybowicz 2-for-5, 2B, 2 runs, 2 RBIs; Erika Taylor 3 BBs; Krystal Weier 5 BBs.
Records: Loyal 9-9; Spencer 13-7.
