Round 1 goes to Rockets

The Burlington Central softball team showed Wednesday it isn't quite ready to hand over the top spot in the Big Northern East just yet.

Using a gutsy performance in the circle over the game's final two innings from senior Mackenzie Scott, a little magic off Scott's bat, and a big "Rocket bounce" in the outfield, Burlington outlasted Marengo 4-3 on Rocket Hill.

"It wasn't a pretty game but I thought those last two innings Mac really got into a groove and that was a big key," said BC coach Scot Sutherland, whose team is seeking the program's fifth straight conference title. "And, she came up with the big hit. It's all about putting the ball in play."

Each team came in riding a winning streak; Marengo had won 10 straight and BC 7. And they each displayed some of the nerves that come with winning streaks and the softball rivalry the two schools have forged over the last several years.

But in the end, the Rockets (12-3, 4-0) got the game's last break and with it the win.

Tied 3-3 going into the bottom of the sixth, the Rockets made two quick outs. But Marengo's infield booted Abby Morrow's ground ball to give BC some life. Scott then stepped to the plate and laced a single to left field and, just as Marengo's left fielder was about to scoop it up, the ball took a bounce over her glove and to the fence, allowing Morrow to score what would become the winning run.

"This one felt pretty good," Scott said. "We knew it was going to be a close game and that everybody had to step up their game today, and we got it done."

Scott (7-1), who had retired Marengo's 7-8-9 hitters all on strikes in the sixth inning, did the same to the Indians' top of the order in the seventh to preserve the win. She struck out 13 in the game and allowed just 2 hits but 4 walks and 3 Central errors helped Marengo stay in the game.

"You gotta give it to Mackenzie Scott," said Marengo coach Dwain Nance, whose team fell to 17-2 on the season and 3-1 in the BN-East. "She shut us down when needed to."

BC jumped ahead 1-0 in the first. Brittany Priest singled and was safe at second on Sam Gruner's fielder's choice. Priest alertly stole third on Marengo's drawn-in infield and scored on Lindsay Lange's sacrifice fly.

Marengo tied the game in the top of the second but BC regained the lead in the bottom of the third. Jess Herrmann led off with a single and Katie Maleski, running for her, took second on Kayla Oranger's sacrifice bunt. After Priest flew out, Gruner roped a single to right to score Maleski.

"Sam played a nice game behind the plate today and had a big hit there," Sutherland said.

Marengo went ahead 3-2 in the top of the fifth, scoring without a hit. Two Central errors and two walks paved the way for the runs.

But the Rockets came back again and tied it in the bottom of the inning. Oranger's one-out slap turned into a three-base throwing error and Oranger then scored the tying run on Priest's sac fly to left.

"It feels good to be a part of beating our biggest rival and even better to be a part of bringing that run in," said Oranger. "It's our last chance, it's our senior year and we want to go out with a bang."

From there, the Rockets left things to Scott, who admitted her wildness may have had something to do with the intense rivalry between the Rockets and Indians.

"I did have a little nerves today," she said. "Marengo's a real good team. I'm just glad our offense stepped up today with some timely hits. I'm glad I ended strong and I hope I start strong tomorrow."

Ah yes, tomorrow, er, today. Weather forecast not withstanding, the two will meet at Marengo again this afternoon.

"We can enjoy this tonight but tomorrow's a new day," Sutherland said. "We have to face them again and now they're the ones with something to prove. It will be another good Central-Marengo game."