Bears softball overcome five-run deficit in big County Clash win

Apr. 22—For the second time in a week, Pisgah softball erased an early deficit on the way to a big County Clash win.

On Tuesday, the Bears trailed 3-0 early before tying it in the sixth inning and scoring six runs in the seventh inning for the win.

Friday's home match-up against Tuscola went very similarly.

This time, the Mountaineers jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first two innings. But even that wasn't enough of a lead, as Pisgah charged ahead with a seven-run streak in the fourth inning before cruising to a 15-7 win.

"Being able to battle back being down 5-0, I'm definitely proud of our perseverance and just able to refocus and battle back," Pisgah Coach Heidi Morgan said.

Tuscola scored two runs in the first inning, while keeping the Bears off the board. That first frame was the only inning that the Bears didn't score, however.

"It's a lot easier, and everyone is more comfortable if, offensively, you're able to chip away a run or two at a time, and just being able to have that insurance on the board," Morgan said.

Going into the bottom of the fourth, Pisgah trailed 5-3. Once the inning was over, the Bears had flipped the script and led 10-5, scoring seven runs in one frame.

All seven runs were scored with one out on the board — highlighting the Bears' focus on being aggressive early.

"It's very important as we travel toward the end of our season in the playoffs, we've got to execute and have our goals of winning every inning, winning every pitch and being able to stay ahead in the game," Morgan said.

In that inning, a pair of sophomores came up with big plays. Khloe D'Avanzo and Madi Potter each hit a triple, scoring multiple runs.

"That's the batter's job — to move runners. It's a very selfless act that you have to approach the plate with. It's not about your batting average, it's about moving runners, and that's what's best for our team," Morgan said.

Each of the sophomores had a big impact on the game, moving up from the JV roster. D'Avanzo went 2-4 at the plate with two runs and two RBIs, while Potter went 1-5 with two runs and four RBIs.

"I feel like both of those young ladies went up to the plate at very key moments for us in that game and were able to execute that perfectly. They weren't focused on their at-bat; they were focused on the best pitch, to hit it as best as they could, to move runners. And they certainly did that," Morgan said.

It was a big moment to see the two youngsters step up on the big stage against the Bears' biggest rival.

"That's a big game to put them in, Pisgah/Tuscola at home in front of a large crowd like that, and being able to just have that warrior mentality, that relentless mental strength to step in there and do the job. Just definitely a proud moment for those younger kids," Morgan said.

Junior shortstop Alexis Markos had another huge game against Tuscola. She was a perfect 3-3 at the plate with three runs, four RBIs and a walk drawn.