ROCKY RIVER, Ohio (April 19, 2023) -- Rocky River was struck by some late lightning, as the Pirates let a 4-1 lead slip away with the visiting North Olmsted Eagles plating three runs in the sixth inning and four more in the seventh of an eventual 8-4 loss for the Double-R Wednesday.

The Buccaneers broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the fourth when five straight River batters reached in the manufacturing of two runs. The Eagles answered with half as many in the road fifth, but the Pirates got two more in their half of the fifth to take a 4-1 lead. Doubles by Juliana Benjamin and Leigh Konet keyed the River fifth.

North Olmsted got a double (Sara Gilley) and a home run (Elena Scott) in their three-run sixth. The Eagles sent 10 men to the plate in their four-run, go-ahead rally in the seventh. The Maroon & White failed to answer in the bottom of the seventh despite getting two singles, a walk, and a North Olmsted error. For the game, the Pirates went just 4-of-16 with runners in scoring position.

Rocky River outhit North Olmsted 10-9, but the Eagles pressured Pirate pitching with nine walks.

In the circle, Colleen Meese went the route for River; Jenna Christner did likewise for the visitors.

Sienna DeMooy (2-for-4, stolen base), Maggie Heigle (2-for-3, SB), and Konet (2-for-3, walk, two runs batted in) logged two-hit games for the Pirates, who have now lost two Great Lakes Conference West Division games in as many days. Since Saturday, Konet is 7-of-17 (.412) with eight RBIs.

Rocky River (4-5, 1-3 GLC West) is scheduled to play at Buckeye Thursday (5 p.m.).

by Skip Snow

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