Mark Howe
GOSHEN - Anyone associated with Warsaw Lady Tiger softball, whether a player, coach or fan, will remember Wednesday's Sectional semifinal for the rest of their lives
Playing as the visiting team, Goshen took a 1-0 lead in the first, and the Lady Tigers tied it up an inning later. The Redhawks scored a pair of runs in the fourth and fifth frames, and each time Warsaw evened the score.
After scoring twice in the top of the seventh stanza, Goshen had Warsaw on the ropes. The Redhawks recorded a pair of easy outs before the Lady Tigers' epic rally resulted in an 8-7 victory.
Sophomore outfielder Ellyse Walters started the winning rally with a hard single off the heel of the third baseman's glove. Had the ball been an inch or two higher, it may have been a season-ending out. Senior Adelynn Williams followed with a single to right field, then freshman Bayleigh Sleeth drew a 4-pitch walk to load the bases.
Senior Addison Eastwood kept the line moving with another walk to draw Warsaw within one, and after being down to her last strike, senior Kaitlyn O'Dell was hit by a pitch to tie the game.
Sophomore Ayla Hatfield then assured the Lady Tigers would play another day with a single up the middle that plated Sleeth with the game winner.
"To come out there and do that for the team was amazing," Hatfield smiled. "I just wanted to get (the ball) in play. I wanted to do this for the team and our coach, who has put so much effort into us.
"To see her as happy as she was; it was a thrill."
Indeed, Lady Tiger head coach Hilary Kiser was emotional while hugging players, family and friends during the postgame celebration, She said while excited over the outcome, it wasn't the first time her team had put together a rally after a slow start to an inning.
"The entire season we've done great with two outs," she said. "I feel we hit the ball better with two outs than we do with none.
"They have it in them to pull through any situation, if they put their minds to it."
It was the second time this season Warsaw had a walk-off win, taking a 9-8 decision in Northern Lakes Conference play May 9 over Goshen. With the win Warsaw improved to 9-15.
"The improvement we've had from the beginning of the season in overcoming when we give up a couple of runs, and playing all seven innings. Over the last five games we've played hard all seven innings, and we definitely played all seven innings and 21 outs tonight."
The Lady Tigers will take on Elkhart (16-12) for the sectional title at 10 a.m. Saturday. The Lions earned their spot in the title game with an 11-2 win over Northridge in Wednesday's second semifinal. The game will be played at Goshen's new baseball-softball complex behind Prairie View Elementary on Regent Drive.
