Robert C. Byrd outlasts Buckhannon-Upshur in 10-inning marathon, 3-2

“I’m glad to have come out on top,” Robert C. Byrd coach Mary Mayer said. “Regardless, win or lose, this is the type of game you want to be in.”

“We felt that in that specific situation, facing a 1-0 count that we could be aggressive in trying to squeeze Taylor in for the game-tying run,” B-U coach Levi Bender said. “I felt that she was ahead of the throw home but credit to Robert C. Byrd for making the plays they needed to close us out.”

In a game that proved to be a pitcher’s duel from start to finish, Davis chalked up the complete game win in the circle for the Eagles, surrendering just two earned runs on 10 hits while striking out three and walking three.

“Makenzie really worked hard in the offseason to get more movement on her pitches and build up her endurance,” Mayer said. “I felt that tonight was a result of all the effort she has put into the game.”

The Eagles scattered nine hits in the game with Gina Alvaro leading the way by finishing 4-for-4 with a run and an RBI.

“Gina was seeing the ball well and hitting it hard,” Mayer said. “She really sets the tone for our team offensively. How she goes is how we go and she has been playing well of late.”

Buckhannon-Upshur hurler Jansen Kimble was also on, keeping her team in the game time and time again both with her arm and her bat.

Kimble gave up three earned runs on nine hits while retiring 12 and walking three and went 2-for-5 at the plate.

“Although we came out on the losing end, I thought that this game was the culmination of all the work Jansen has pour into the game,” Bender said. “That is the type of game she has been working towards having really her entire career. She played lights out.”

She was joined by both Spratt (2-for-5) and Alyssa Abel (2-for-5) in recording multi-hit outings.

Robert C. Byrd landed the first blow in the top of the third as Alvaro belted a line drive to left, plating Martina Howe.

Backed into a corner, trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the seventh with two outs and two runners on, Kimble raked a short dribbling ground ball that brought Quinn Burnside across, tying the game before Kynnedy Marple was thrown out attempting to advance to third, sending the game into extra innings.

The Buccaneers threatened to steal the game in the bottom of the ninth as Avery Hamer hammered a line-drive triple to center before both Sophia Lantz and Burnside were intentionally walked to load the bases.

It worked: The Eagles flipped a fielder’s choice and a double-play over the next two at-bats to escape the inning unscathed.

Robert C. Byrd poked back out front in the top of the 10th.

Alvaro sparked the Eagles’ late push, doubling on a deep line drive to left.

Lexi Hardy got a fly ball to drop into a gap in the Buccaneer defense in right, scoring Alvaro.

Davis then belted a line-drive single to center, plating Hardy to give Robert C. Byrd a two-run edge entering the bottom of the inning.

The Buccaneers built up positive momentum early in the top of the 10th as Abel slashed a hard ground ball to short before scoring after Spratt drove a line-drive to center, cutting Robert C. Byrd’s lead to 3-2.

“Playing against a very good Buckhannon-Upshur team no doubt helped us become a better team,” Mayer said. “That is all you can really ask from these early-season matchups.”

Both teams will return to action on Thursday at 5 p.m. with Buckhannon-Upshur (3-6) traveling to Fairmont Senior and Robert C. Byrd (4-0) playing a pair at Elkins.

“We never backed down or flinched,” Mayer said. “We faced adversity and weren’t fazed by it. That has been a trademark to how our veteran team has started the season. I hope to see that continue.”