Norwalk rally comes up just short

NORWALK — The Norwalk softball team fell behind by deficits of 10-2 and 13-8, but rallied and had the tying run at second base to end the game in Thursday's 13-12 loss to visiting Port Clinton in a non-conference game at Norwalk High School. With the loss, the Truckers fell to 1-8 overall ahead of Friday's non-league game at Willard. Trailing 13-8 and down to their final two outs in the seventh inning, the Truckers began their rally with a double by Sophia Bores. Singles from Callie Helton and Meadow Muratori followed to load the bases with one out. Sophomore Morgan Leber then delivered the big hit with a bases-clearing, three-run triple to cut the deficit to 13-11. Senior Hayleigh Mills followed with a sacrifice fly to plate Leber and cut the margin to 13-12, and Cossondra Shinski kept the rally going with a single. Shinski then stole second to move into scoring position, but the Redskins (2-5) were able to get the third out on a 1-2 pitch to end the game. Leber finished the game 4 for 5 with two doubles, a triple, five RBIs and three runs scored. Bores also had a huge game, as she was 4 for 4 with two doubles, two RBIs and three runs. Also for the Truckers, Helton was 3 for 3 with an RBI, while Shinski and Meadow Muratori were both 2 for 5. McKenna Ames added a single and an RBI, and Emily Skeel and Tyra Corbin both had one single. Haley Gockstetter started and went the first four innings. She allowed 10 runs on nine hits, but just two of the runs were earned. She struck out three and walked three. Shinski pitched the final three innings and allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits with two strikeouts and a walk. P. Clinton 145 002 1 — 13 14 5 Norwalk 201 140 4 — 12 18 4 WP: Rose; LP: Gockstetter 2B: (PC) Foote, Hittepole, Martinez, Webb; (N) Bores 2, Leber 2; 3B: (N) Leber Bellevue 14, Willard 0 WILLARD — Visiting SBC Lake Division powerhouse Bellevue scored six runs in each of the first two innings to cruise past host Willard in a non-league game on Thursday. Ellen Fox had the lone hit for the Crimson Flashes, who fell to 4-5 overall. Bellevue 661 01 — 14 15 1 Willard 000 00 — 0 1 3 WP: Aubrey; LP: DeWitt 2B: (B) Molly