Seplak's RBI helps Waubonsie finish

One day Elgin will be the type of team that closes out opposing softball teams with ease.

Instead, Waubonsie Valley was that team Friday.

The Maroons led 6-2 going into the final inning of their Upstate Eight Conference game in Elgin. The Warriors rallied to score 4 runs in the seventh inning before winning the game 7-6 when Ally Seplak drove in Ryane Pappa for the game-winning run in the eighth.

"We knew when we were down we didn't want to lose the game," said Seplak, who went 3-for-4 with 2 doubles and an RBI. "A couple of big plays brought the energy up. We knew we could do it."

Seplak's 1-out double sparked the seventh-inning rally. Third baseman Jessica Lobraco drove in Seplak with an RBI single a batter later, and Lisa Corrigan was hit by a pitch. Catcher Jackie Kreiner jacked a 2-RBI triple. She scored off of an error to even the game for the Warriors (1-1, 1-1).

"They fed off each other a lot," Waubonsie Valley coach Kris Kalivas said. "They were confident at the plate. They were patient at the plate."

Elgin pitcher Kelly Patchett (0-2) had controlled the game up until the seventh. Patchett gave up 2 runs on 3 hits in the first inning and then did not allow a hit until the seventh.

Behind Patchett's 5 strikeouts, Elgin (0-2, 0-2) built a 6-2 lead going into the seventh.

"We're not comfortable playing with a lead," Maroons coach Peg Corcoran said. "I think we made great strides as a team. Good teams are going to shut the door when pressure gets on and we're going to be that team some day. We opened the door and let them back in."

Waubonsie Valley was also aided with sophomore Breanna Price's pitching effort. Price (1-1) rebounded after entering the game in the sixth inning and immediately giving up 2 runs. She allowed just 2 hits over the final two innings while striking out 4.

Kayleigh Crouch had an RBI double and Seplak stole home to put the Warriors up 2-0 in the first. Patchett's RBI single scored Jenna Jaynes to make it 2-1 going into the second.