The drive to win and athleticism used to continually force your opponent into making mistakes is being visibly displayed this season by Tri-Valley eighth grade varsity catcher Mikayla Clearwater.
Clearwater has become an important part of the Lady Bears youth movement that is adding depth to the present team that consists of three eighth graders, one ninth grader and four sophomores.
With losing only three seniors in this years graduation the next couple of years is poised for softball success at Tri-Valley who this year will compete in sectional play for the first time in a number of years.
Clearwater displayed that leadership role and the desire to win in the top of the seventh inning with the score knotted at six runs each between Eldred and the Lady Bears last Thursday at Eldred.
Leading off the seventh Mikayla smashed a ground ball to short and with the throw to first sailing over the first baseman's glove the speedy Bears catcher pulled into second base.
Emily DiToro then hit a fly ball to right center which was dropped by the right fielder allowing Clearwater to score the winning run. DiToro took second base on the throw home, scrambled to third on a fly ball out to center field and scored the eighth run for the Bears on a fly ball out to right field. Angie DiToro ended the inning with a ground ball out to Eldred pitcher Jordan Lepes.
Winning pitcher Kacie Allison ( a ninth grader) sealed the Bears victory setting Eldred down in the bottom of the seventh on a fly ball out to left field, a fly ball out to center and a strikeout.
Tri-Valley got on the scoreboard in the top of the first with two runs with lead-off hitter Clearwater starting the game off with a sharp single to center, advancing to second and scoring on a single to right center by Emily DiToro. Emily took second and then third base on balls that got away from Eldred's catcher and scored on a third passed ball.
The Bears added a single run in the top of the second with Morgan Shamro scoring.
Eldred got right back in the game in the bottom of the second when lead off batter Samantha Banghart blasted a long fly ball to left field for a home run. Another run scored off singles by Alaina Gaughan, Kelsey Collins and Shela Burns.
The Yellow Jackets produced a three run inning in the bottom of the third off Tri-Valley errors and a hit batter to take a 5-3 lead which was increased to a 6-3 lead at the end of the fourth inning.
The Lady Bears added one run in the top of the fifth with Clearwater again leading the way with a ground ball to short and her speed beating the throw to first. She promptly stole second, advanced herself to third on a ground ball to short and then stole home for the fourth Tri-Valley run.
In the top of the sixth the Bears scored two runs to tie the game up off hits by Angie DiToro, Morgan Shamro, an Eldred error and a passed ball.
Allison recorded seven strikeouts and Lepes five.
At the conclusion of the game Tri-Valley players swept Clearwater up into the arms of first baseman Ashley Exner in celebration of their comeback win.
And Mikayla at the end of the game gets into the car with her father, Assistant Coach Gary Clearwater, to travel down to Chester for practice with her Frozen Ropes travel team.......that's the kind of dedication she has for her sport.
Bears Coach Mary Feusner gave praise for Eldred saying, "Eldred's always good competition for us and this year we have had games determined by only two or three runs."
Admitting that her team "got shell shocked by S.S. Seward 23-3 Wednesday but "coming back today puts smiles on their faces and gives us some confidence again."
Yellow Jackets coach Ryan Jasper admitted that his team is also young with only two seniors and added, "we have to get more consistent with us checking into the game one inning and checking out the next inning."
Eldred with a 6-10 overall record and 3-1 in league play will play in the Class D sectionals after wrapping up the league with a win over Livingston Manor earlier in the week.
With this win Tri-Valley is 11-5 overall and 1-4 in OCIAA division play.
Both Tri-Valley (Class C) and Eldred will learn on Thursday who their competition in this years opening sectional game will be.
PHOTOS FROM THURSDAY'S GAME VS. ELDRED
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