USA survives seventh-inning scare, advances to state finals

Last year’s state final between the USA Patriots and Mendon Hornets was tense until the end. This year’s Division 4 state semifinal was a mirror image of last year’s game.

Like last year, the Patriots were up two runs going into the bottom of the seventh. Also like last year, the Hornets put up a run and had two on base with two out. But Olivia Green’s 11th strikeout of the game sent the Patriots to the Division 4 state final, where they will compete for a fifth consecutive championship. Here’s a look at the final score and stats from Friday:

A first-inning run set the tone early for the Patriots as Rylie Betson led off with a triple and Gabby Crumm drove Betson in with a single. The Hornets responded with two runs in the second inning on an error.

In the third inning, the Patriots put up three runs as Layla Bolzman singled, Ella Neumann reached on an error to score Bolzman, Gabby Crumm doubled to drive in Neumann and Jenna Gremel hit a sacrifice ground ball to score courtesy runner Kate Beagle. Mendon responded with a run in the fourth.

On a Layla Bolzman hit-by-pitch in the fifth, Bolzman turned around to steal second and third bases, in which Rylie Betson drove in Bolzman on a sacrifice ground ball.

“Layla was born with that speed,” USA coach Marc Reinhardt said. “She was a born runner. She’s a smart runner, too. If they hesitate, she’s going. She has the confidence in that speed, too. It showed today.”

Mendon responded with a run in the bottom of the inning.

Macy Prime scored what turned out to be the game-winning run as she singled in the seventh and Rylie Betson drove Prime in on a double.

“This was huge,” Reinhardt said. “We have to get production out of the bottom of our order. This helps turn over the order. Rylie Betson is a good hitter. Ella Neumann is a good hitter. Gabby Crumm is a good hitter. If we got a couple on base, with those hitters, we’re in good shape.”

The Hornets responded with a run in the seventh and had two runners on with two out.

“In this spot, I told them that the tying run was at second base,” Reinhardt said. “We have two outs. Let’s just take care of business and move on to tomorrow. We did that.”

But Olivia Green recorded 11 strikeouts in the game, the 11th being the deciding out.

“The nucleus of seniors we have here have never lost here,” Reinhardt said. “Hopefully we can hold up that end of the bargain tomorrow. The senior leaderships on my team are huge.”

“The best four teams in Division 4 came here to compete,” Reinhardt added. “Tomorrow, we’ll figure out who the top team is. We want to be that team. The girls came to play and they finished today.”

Green picked up the win in the circle, striking out 11 while allowing eight hits, two earned runs and three walks in seven innings pitched.

“Olivia pitched a heck of a game,” Reinhardt said. “We had a few snafus in the outfield. I don’t know what it was, but we got through it.”

“This was the biggest game Olivia has pitched,” Reinhardt added. “That was a good Mendon team. They hit the ball. I haven’t seen that many hits off Olivia all season long. They did a good job. They made more errors than we made. Errors cost us. It cost them, too. They’re a good team.”

The Patriots advance to the Division 4 state championship, where they will face Holman. The game is scheduled for Saturday, June 15. First pitch is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at Secchia Stadium.