DELPHI — The North Montgomery softball team needed to rally if they wanted to keep their season alive.
And when they needed it the most, they did just that.
The Chargers scored three runs in the top of the seventh inning, coming from behind to defeat Rensselaer Central 6-5 and stay alive in Sectional 37.
“They had every chance to buckle and quit, and we haven’t all year,” North Montgomery head coach Rob Earley said. “It was outstanding. The girls fought for each other and it was a team effort.”
It was the first sectional win for North Montgomery since 2009, when they defeated Danville 3-2 in the sectional semifinal.
Earley said the girls were well aware of the drought and wanted to be the group that ended it.
“We talked about it a lot, even yesterday in practice,” Earley said. “They wanted it a lot, they were hungry for it.”
Hope Delp started the rally by reaching on an error. After Bailey Nichols was hit by a pitch, pinch runner Sophia Williams stole third and then scored on a throwing error to bring the Chargers within one.
Nichols scored when Blayke Braun reached on an error, and with runners on the corners and two outs, pinch runner Makenzi Snellenbarger scored on a passed ball for the go-ahead run.
“Those were some tough counts too, and the girls fought and battled,” Earley said. “They believe in their skill set and we have talked about being confident in what you can do. They did that.”
The Bombers tried to rally in the seventh, getting a leadoff single from Rylie Moore. Stacia Crabtree then hit a deep fly to left-center, but Nichols saved the game with an outstanding juggling catch for the first out.
“She covers so much ground on a banged up body because she gets hit every game,” Earley said. “It was exciting, and the best part was watching the girls’ reactions to it. That was priceless and what I am here for.”
Brynn Hannon reached on an error to put the go-ahead run on base with one out, but North Montgomery pitcher Kendra McClamroch got a strike out and a pop out to end the game.
McClamroch allowed five runs (three earned) on seven hits. She struck out six.
She didn’t allow a run after the third inning.
The Chargers (8-15) will face Monon Athletic Conference rival Western Boone on Wednesday in the sectional semifinal.
