WHEELING, W.Va. — Despite having their first four batters of the game collect base hits and later score, Weir needed a game-ending double play to snuff out a late Wheeling Central Catholic rally, defeating the Maroon Knights 5-3 in a matchup of ranked teams.
Trailing by two runs in the bottom of the seventh, Central brought the tying run to the plate with one out. Leadoff batter Morgan Miehle ripped a line drive that appeared to be ticketed for extra bases. However, Bella Weber made a leaping grab at first base and she initiated a game-ending 3-6 double play.
“If there is a better defensive first baseman in the state, I would like to see her. Bella has been solid since she was a freshman,” said Weir head coach John Leary. “She scoops the ball out of the dirt, gets the high balls and the high throws. She has a very good glove, just like you saw at the end of the game. She saved our bacon there. If that ball gets down the line, it is very likely that it is a 5-4 game and they have a runner in scoring position with one out.”
Lila Boilegh led off the game for the Red Riders with a home run, giving Weir a 1-0 lead. The next three batters — Eliza Utt, Weber and Logan Barton — all followed with base hits and they would all score to give the Class AA No. 7 Red Riders a four-run frame.
“I liked that part of it. Obviously the thing we have been harping on them about is that is kind of the same thing we did at Wheeling Park last week. We scored the first two runs and then we never scored again. And we lost. We’re playing a really good single-A team here, among the best in the state. And they hit the ball,” Leary said.
“They put the ball in play and they made the plays defensively. All of their outfielders did a nice job. But I am happy. I am happy to come here on the road and come out with a win against a good team.”
The Class A No. 6 Maroon Knights allowed just one unearned run the rest of the way and they scored runs in first, fourth and sixth innings to pull within two runs.
Weir pitcher Eliza Utt went the distance in the circle. Leary said she struggled with command at times, but Utt was able to scatter six hits.
“I am just glad she was able to fight her way through it and we were able to come out with the win.”
Wheeling Central (9-6) starting pitcher Olivia Kiaski tossed a complete game for the Knights. After allowing five hits in the first, she yielded just three over the final six frames.
Maddie Miehle and Berklee Heller each had two hits for Central. Weber and Lexi Shockley both collected two hits for the Red Riders (9-3).
Weir is scheduled to play five more games this week, starting Tuesday against Brooke. The Red Riders will also face Oak Glen on Saturday, seeking their second win of the season against the defending Class AA state champions.
“This is a very pivotal week for our season. Hopefully we can take from what we did here and just keep building on it.”