For the second time in three days, the Freeport and Derry softball teams played to a one-run result.
And for the second time, the Trojans were the ones who came out on top.
Bailey Legge delivered a two-out RBI single to score Francesca DePalma in the top of the seventh to break a tie score.
Derry starting pitcher Haylee Myers and the defense behind her then kept the Yellowjackets off the board in the bottom of the seventh to preserve a 3-2 victory in a Section 1-4A clash Thursday afternoon under sunny skies at Freeport Community Park.
“I was a little nervous, but I knew if I just focused on what I needed to do and keep my head on the ball, I could have a good outcome, and that’s what it was,” said Legge, whose hit was one of five the Trojans lineup would get off of Freeport junior starter Ali Smith.
“This victory was really important to us as we get ready for the playoffs. I think it clinched third place in the section. Everyone played really well.”
Derry, which has won four straight, improved to 8-4 overall and 7-3 in the section with home section games against Indiana (Monday) and Greensburg-Salem (May 1) remaining.
“Freeport is such a strong team. (Coach) Ron (DeJidas) does a really good job with those girls,” Derry coach John DePalma said. “We know each other very well, and I think we compete on the same level. We were fortunate today. We’ve had some tough sixth innings this year. We’re getting to the point where we’re playing a full seven innings. The girls have to just keep stepping up and making plays in crucial situations.”
Thursday’s game was a rematch of one played just Tuesday and won by Derry, 1-0, on a perfect game from Myers.
Myers struck out 14 in that game and also drove in the lone run.
She retired the first two batters Thursday but was not able to retire Freeport senior third baseman Addyson Caruso, who blasted a solo home run to get the Yellowjackets on the board.
Fellow senior Lauren Clark got to Myers in the bottom of the fourth with a leadoff homer to give her team a 2-1 lead.
But Myers and the Trojans defense got out of trouble in several innings.
Freeport stranded a runner at third in the first, fourth and fifth innings, and a runner was left at second in the third and again in the bottom of the seventh.
“That’s just the way the game goes sometimes,” DeJidas said. “We played really good defense, and Ali pitched so well. She pitched the 1-0 game the other night.”
The Yellowjackets tried to rally in their final at-bat. Grace Palko drew a walk and Caruso, who was 3 for 4, singled with two outs.
But Myers struck out senior Addi Gourley to end the threat and the game. Myers struck out 13.
She finished 1 for 4 at the plate. But the one hit, a double with two outs in the top of the fifth, tied the score at 2-2.
Freeport, whose seniors played their final home game Thursday, fell to 4-7 in the section. But the Yellowjackets remain alive for a shot at the playoffs.
They need to win their section finale Wednesday at Greensburg Salem and have the Golden Lions lose at home tomorrow against Indiana and lose at Derry on May 1. That would create a tie for fourth between Greensburg Salem and Freeport at 5-7, and both teams would qualify.
“I really don’t have the words to truly express how proud I am of these girls,” said DeJidas, who saw his lineup collect seven hits. “They showed how important this is to them and how this team and the outcomes are more important than individual goals. They fought for each other today.
“We are going to roll with the opportunity we still have to get into the playoffs. Good things can happen if we just stay positive.”
Derry manufactured its first run in the top of the second with two outs.
Kali Henigin got it started with a single, and Marie Razpotnik followed with a bloop single to center to put two runners on.
Paris Clayton then was hit by a pitch to load the bases.
Smith worked an 0-2 count on No. 9 hitter Violet Soltis, but Soltis was patient and rallied to draw a walk that plated Henigin to tie the score 1-1.
“It was a scrappy win,” coach DePalma said. “We had to sacrifice a lot and do a lot of small things to help get us runs.”