PETERSBURG, W.Va. — With a record of 28-3 entering Tuesday’s Class AA, Region 1 series opener vs. East Fairmont, Petersburg was not accustomed to erasing deficits late in games. The Vikings did just that, scoring runs in the sixth and seventh innings to defeat the Bees 5-4.
The best-of-three series shifts to Pleasant Valley Wednesday afternoon where the Vikings can clinch the regional title and a berth in the state tournament.
Mackenzie Weasenforth’s RBI single with one out in the bottom of the seventh allowed Jenna Burgess to score the game-winning run. Weasenforth scored the tying run in the sixth inning, coming home on an RBI groundout by Maddison Champ.
“You play all seven (innings) and you never give up,” said Petersburg head coach Bubba Hedrick. “You fight, you scratch, you battle and you find a way to win. That’s what we did tonight.”
In addition to bringing the tying run home in the sixth, Champ recorded a pair of outfield assists. Both of those plays ended innings and halted Eastside rallies.
Petersburg starting pitcher Carly Cooper entered the game with a record of 19-0. East Fairmont managed eleven hits but Cooper also struck out eleven batters. “This is probably the one time Carly was not sharp,” Hedrick said. “She battled and battled and started to get a little bit stronger in the end.”
Madison Corbin took the loss for the Bees (19-8). She allowed a dozen hits while striking out three batters. Tori Lambert had three RBI for East, including a solo homer in the fifth inning that gave the Bees a 4-3 lead. Lambert and Kierra Bartholow each for three hits. Burgess led the Vikings attack with three hits.