Countryside retains hold on PCAC title

SEMINOLE — Seven innings just aren't enough when Seminole and Countryside get together.

Friday in the PCAC championship game, it took 10 before a winner could be decided.

With the score tied at 4 in the top of the 10th, Countryside rightfielder Ayanna Andrews slapped an infield single to get on base with one out. Andrews, a freshman, then used her blazing speed to steal second, and, after reaching third on Ashlee Sismilich's single, came home on a wild pitch to give the Cougars the lead.

Countryside went on to score five more runs in the inning to win 10-5 and earn its second straight PCAC title. It's also the second time Countryside has defeated Seminole in extra innings this season.

"My main goal at the plate was to make contact," Andrews said. "My coach told me if I put the ball on the ground, I'll get on base every time."

After Andrews scored the go-ahead run, Ali Lamb tripled home a run, and Desiree Baker, who started on the mound for Countryside (20-4), singled in two more runs.

Baker threw three hitless innings but lost her control in the fourth after experiencing some swelling in her throwing hand.

The Warhawks (12-6) scored four runs in the fourth off Baker to tie the score. One run came home on a bases-loaded walk. Sarah Read drove home three more with a double to centerfield.

After Read's double, Countryside brought in freshman Alyssa Bache, who hadn't pitched since injuring her calf in a spring break tournament.

Bache pitched the final 51/3 innings and gave up just one run, that coming in the 10th.

"(Bache) wasn't going to pitch today," Countryside coach Kaylyn Bayly said. "It was really just a backup plan, but (Baker) couldn't even grip the ball because her finger had swelled so much."

Lamb singled in the second to score Countryside's first run, and the senior shortstop singled again in the fourth to bring two more runs home.