Valley Sports ReportTIOGA CENTER — Tioga broke open a close game with nine runs in the bottom of the sixth inning of a 15-5 win over Moravia here Monday afternoon in IAC Small School softball action.
The Tigers scored in each of their six innings at the plate, but the game was tied 4-4 heading into the bottom of the fifth inning when the Tigers scored two runs on a two-run line-drive double by Bri Lounsbury to take a 6-4 lead.
Moravia closed the gap to 6-5 with a run in the top of the sixth inning, but Tioga answered to seal the win with nine runs in the home half of the inning.
RaeAnne Feeko led off the inning with a double, and Madalyn Rogers reached on a dropped third strike to put runners on the corners. After an error plated Feeko, Lilly Mezzatesta belted a two-RBI double to make it 9-5.
After a field single by Vanessa Tunnicliff, the Blue Devils turned a double play, leaving Mezzatesta at third base.
Kaylah Nelson followed with an RBI double to push the lead to 10-5.
After a walk to Olivia Shugars, Nelson stole third then scored on a bunt single by Lounsbury to make it 11-5.
The Tigers plated a run on a wild pitch, then tacked on runs on RBI singles by Rogers, Kate Kithcart and Messatesta to cap the rally.
Lounsbury had four hits, including a double, two runs scored, and three RBI to lead Tioga's 18-hit attack, while Tunnicliff stroked three singles and scored one run, and Kithcart singled twice, scored one runs and had three RBI.
Mezzatesta doubled and singled, and drove in three runs in the win, while Nelson doubled and singled, scored one run, and had two RBI, and Rogers singled twice, scored two runs, and knocked in one run.
Feeko doubled and scored three runs for the Tigers, while Shugars singled and scored three runs, and Lynch singled and scored two runs.
Kithcart earned the win for Tioga, allowing five runs — four earned — on eight hits, while striking out nine and walking two.
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PHOTOS BY TIM TAYLOR.
