Extra Inning Hit Seals the Win for Mepham Softball

The Mepham (6-9) Softball team in their last home game of the year was in the fight of their lives against Massapequa (4-10) yesterday afternoon and defeated the Chiefs 5-4 in extra innings.

This game had it all - good pitching, solid defense and a tremendous last inning comeback. The first six innings the Chiefs had the lead throughout. It wasn't until the bottom of the seventh where things turned around for the Lady Pirates to tie the game at 4.

In the bottom of the eighth, Mepham was ready to end it with a few swings of the bat.  After a lead off hit by Kristan Taylor and a sac bunt throw away by the pitcher, it was first and third and Massapequa then walked the bases loaded on defensive indifference.

Taylor ended up scoring the winning run on an infield error in the bottom of the eighth. Nicole Pazienza was responsible for putting the bat on the ball and forcing the Chiefs to make a costly error, which resulted in a win for Mepham.

"At the plate I knew I had to get a hit," said Nicole Pazienza. "After I made contact, I thought the fielder had it."

Taylor ended up finishing the game four-for-four. Shannon McLean and Victoria Gunnels also contributed to the win with back-to-back RBI singles in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game at four. Gunnels, who picked up the win after throwing a five hitter with six strikeouts, went two-for-four with three RBIs and McLean was two-for-three with an RBI.

In Mepham's last home game of the season the final score after eight strong innings was 5-4. Mepham came out with a great come behind victory, an exciting way to end their home season.

"It was exciting, I'm pumped." added Pazienza. "We always manage to come back. I had faith."