Softball: Solon survives extra-inning battle against Mount Vernon

SOLON - The wake-up call was answered.Top-ranked Solon responded to the attention-getting challenge from rival Mount Vernon.The Spartans scored three runs with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to stave off the Mustangs' upset bid and claim a 7-6 Class 3A regional quarterfinal win Tuesday night at Lady Spartan Softball Field.Consider it a lesson learned and the Spartans won't be taking anything for granted anymore."They definitely opened our eyes," Spartan senior Mel Breza said. "We know we have to try hard and always do our best."It was a little stressful."The Spartans were on the brink of elimination after the Mustangs exploded for four runs in the top of the seventh to force extra innings and two more in the top of the ninth for a 6-4 lead. Solon was down to its final out and a freshman at the plate.A passed ball put Rylee Smith and Emily Bransky on second and third after their consecutive singles. Nearad then delivered a looping base hit to left center that chased Smith and Bransky home and tied the score, 6-6.Nearad was hitless until then, but was confident and able to relax in her last at-bat."There was a lot of pressure there," Nearad said. "I just tried to do my best."Solon Coach Ben Sorden said he knew Nearad was more than capable of delivering."The kid's a winner," Sorden said. "That's why she's in the No. 3 spot (of the batting order)."After a single to right field by Kara Misel moved Nearad to third, Breza, who had two doubles and scored twice, was walked to load the bases. Pinch hitter Ali Herdliska earned a walk and brought in Nearad with the winning run."We didn't have it in the beginning of the game but we all came together and showed a lot of heart," Breza said. "I'm very proud of us."Sorden said the team learned from similar situations earlier in the season. Tonight was one where they came out on top. It helped to have the ability to score a lot of runs and a good part of the lineup at the plate."I felt we were pretty relaxed," Sorden said. "If we went up and had good at-bats things were going to get accomplished."Solon (33-6) cruised for most of the game, taking a commanding 4-0 lead after the third. Mount Vernon committed three errors in the three-run third, including runs from Breza and Nearad. Breza also led off the second with a double and scored on an Emma Rickels base hit to put Solon on the board.The Spartans appeared to play tight at times and possibly overlooking an opponent could have played into the performance. Sorden expects better showings the rest of the way."The first one's over. That's always the toughest," Sorden said. "It was Mount Vernon. Obviously there's emotions vested in that. Here on out, I expect us to play better softball."Courtney Maddocks ignited the ninth-inning rally, leading off with a single. After a Mikela Lengwin walk and Michaela Martin sacrifice, Miranda Chapman's walk loaded the bases and Maddocks slid into home, beating the throw from shortstop on Kat Dixon's grounder. Hannah Whitley plated Lengwin when her grounder ricocheted into right field off the second baseman's ankle, making it 6-4 Mustangs.The Mustangs wouldn't have been in that position if it wasn't for a late rally in the seventh. Trailing 4-0, Mount Vernon scored four runs with two outs, thanks to a couple errors. Chapman provided the big blow, belting a game-tying three-tun home run over the left field fence to force extra innings.Every game has been a battle for the young Mount Vernon team that finish the season 11-26. Mustangs Coach Robin Brand said her team had Solon on the run."They come in ready to fight," Brand said. "You never find them in the seventh or eighth folding up. They come out strong."These girls don't know how to stop and they won't. They will come back stronger every year."Solon advances to play Northeast in a regional semifinal at Solon on Friday, starting at 7 p.m. Northeast beat Camanche, 10-0, in five innings Tuesday night.