By JOHN ANDERSON
In the top of the 13th, Deposit-Hancock’s Olivia Johnston, an 8th-grader, blasted a triple to lead off the inning. On an 0-2 waste pitch in the dirt, Johnston was able to race home and score the go-ahead run. A solo home run made it 5-3.
Friendship-Scio then almost mounted an improbable comeback. With two outs, Morghyn Ross singled, Kaydence Donohue singled her to second and then with two strikes, Kiara Grover hit a ball to right that may have tied the game, but the right fielder made a diving, sliding catch to end the game and a second straight state title for D-H.
Friendship-Scio threatened in the first inning when Nevaeh Ross hit a double to right center. After a walk with two outs, Deposit-Hancock went to In the bottom of the second with two strikes, Katie Lamberson ripped a single to left center. But Deposit-Hancock freshman shortstop Pagan Macumber made a great play and turned a double play to end the inning.
In the top of the third after a one-out walk, Deposit-Hancock sophomore Sarah Gross belted a single to right and a 1-0 lead for the Eagles over the Golden Eagles.
In the bottom of the third with to strikes, Friendship-Scio freshman Avery Lamberson hit an infield single and went to second with no outs. Macumber got a strikeout. But the second pitch to Nevaeh Ross was crushed over the left center field fence, landing in a make-shift tent and a 2-1 lead. The ball got out in such a hurry, Ross already had her fist in the air as she started out of the box to first base.
Deposit-Hancock drew a walk to start the top of the fourth with no outs and on the bunt to get the runner to second, Friendship-Scio third baseman Katie Lamberson charged and made a great play, and first baseman Kiara Grover made an equally good stab for the first out. After that, Ross took care of business herself striking out the next two batters.
In the top of the fifth, D-H mashed a line drive single and scored on an error to tie the game at 1-1. With one out Sarah Gross drove in the go-ahead run with a ground out sacrifice to second. Ross got a strikeout to end the inning.
Deposit-Hancock had the momentum, but that’s when the entire lineup of Friendship–Scio refused to die. With six outs left, Kadence Donohue singled home Katie Lamberson to tie the game. The crucial run would hold up to force extra innings.
In the top of the 10th with one out and a runner on first, Friendship-Scio freshman catcher Morghyn Ross threw a base stealer out at second. Deposit-Hancock reached on a walk, went to second and with two outs. Ross got a backwards K to end the threat.
In the bottom of the 10th, Friendship-Scio tried stealing home to win with two outs and two strikes but Deposit-Hancock made a big play to cut the run down. Nevaeh Ross went out in the 11th and thanks to great plays by Donohue at shortstop and Logan Roberts at second before Ross got another strikeout to end the inning.
If it was possible in the hot sun, Nevaeh Ross got stronger in the 12th, getting a comebacker and striking out two to end the half inning.
We will have more photos, a video and interviews on this game.
