Orchard Farm uses late charge to fend off McCluer North

The Orchard Farm High softball coach watched in horror as her team coughed up a five-run lead in the sixth inning of Wednesday's game at McCluer North.

"We knew she was disappointed in us," explained junior infielder Jamie Hopkins.

Added junior outfielder Katie Mobley, "She gets upset when we do things like that - but we don't. We just stay under control."

That late-inning poise spelled the difference as Orchard Farm rallied for five runs in the seventh to post a wild 14-11 win in the nonconference game in Florissant.

McCluer North scored seven times in the sixth to take an 11-9 lead after trailing 7-1 and 9-4.

But Hopkins and Mobley calmly re-focused their team - without saying a word.

"The dugout was quiet because we knew what we had to do," Hopkins said. "Talking and yelling doesn't do it. You just have to be calm and go out there and get it done."

Hopkins and Mobley banded together to lead the charge.

"I wish we wouldn't have gotten into that situation, but I'm proud of the way they battled back," Wynn said.

Orchard Farm (7-4) seemed well on its way to an easy triumph before McCluer North hit the visitors with the seven-spot in the sixth.  Jamaya Johnson started the comeback with a two-run homer. Allison Starke added a bases-clearing double to give her team its first lead 10-9. LeAndrea Johnson followed with a run-scoring hit to complete the rally.

But the Eagles were not fazed.

"We've been behind before, we know what to do," Hopkins said.

It showed.

Hopkins started the rally with a leadoff single. Gabi Doza followed with a hit and Taylor Machens reached safely on an infield bobble to load the bases.

Mobley followed with a single to get the Eagles to within 11-10. Maddie Frappier tied the game by drawing a bases-loaded walk. Madison Steinhoff, the No. 9 hitter in the order, put her team back in front with a grounder to shortstop that brought in the go-ahead run. Pitcher Maria Prather completed the uprising with a run-scoring double following a wild pitch.

"The best part was that we all stayed focused and took it one at-bat at a time," Hopkins said. "We know that when it's time to go, it's time to go."

The Eagles pounded out 17 hits and had two five-run innings including an outburst in the second that gave them a 7-1 cushion.

Mobley led the way with a 3-for-3 performance and four RBI. She reached safely in all five trips to the dish. Hopkins also went 3-for-3 and reached five times. She drove in two runs.

Leadoff hitter Bailley Boyer added three hits. Lauren Grunwaldt and Frappier reached safely three times each.

Prather had the Stars (6-7) under control until the sixth. She bounced back and faced just three batters in the seventh.

"Everyone did their job," Mobley said. "This was just another great win."

McCluer North coach Patrick Dougherty was pleased with the way his team responded down the stretch. 

"We didn't give up," Dougherty said. "In that (sixth) inning everyone was making contact. At the end, our girls got nervous and they tightened up."

Tanesha Brandon and Emily Signaige also had key hits for the Stars.

"You never like to lose," Dougherty said. "But, we showed what we are made of by coming back."