WALLINGFORD — Sheehan used a six-run sixth inning to battle his way to an 11-9 softball win over Lyman Hall under the lights of Pragemann Park on Tuesday night.
Jenna Cyr broke a 5-5 tie with a two-run right-hand single, then the game’s biggest hit came from the bat of Dannielle Geary, who unloaded a grand slam over the center field fence.
With the win, Sheehan (6-7) completed a season sweep of rivals Crosstown. The Titans won the first meeting 4-3 on April 13 at Lyman Hall.
This play was decided on the last play. On Tuesday night, Lyman Hall scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning and put the tying runs in scoring position, but Sheehan pitcher Jada Math drilled through for a decisive strikeout. .
“Our bats were on fire and we made adjustments at home plate and were patient at home plate,” Sheehan coach Sarah Wyant said. “Jade threw well and her defense backed her up with every throw. If there was a mistake that happened, they bounced back immediately.
“And Dani really crushed that ball.”
The Trojans were inches away from tying the game in the seventh with a two-out rally. After Emily Chase’s two-run brace made it 11-9, Alana Peruti stepped in and laced a liner down the right-field line that fouls a few inches.
Peruti hit to the next pitch that was low in the area to end the game.
“We prepared them for pressure situations and we have a certain way of preparing before we face a team a second time, and I think that really showed tonight,” the LH coach said. Stephanie Lavado-Berghorn. “We did a good job holding on and fighting back with our sticks. They have to keep their heads up because it was a hell of a game.
Lyman Hall (2-10) scored twice in the top of the first inning. The first three batters have reached. Chase (3 for 4) and Peruti (3 for 5) started the match with scathing singles.
Jorja Trocchio (2 for 4) gave up a sacrificial bunt attempt. A pitching error at first allowed Chase to score the first run of the game.
Callie Chordas (2 for 4) followed with a laser at first base that was stopped by Geary, but Chordas was able to reach safely with an RBI field single as LH went up 2-0.
Math, who went the distance in the win, was helped by a double line play in the set to avoid further damage.
The Titans offense responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning. LH starter Keera Reed retired the first two batters before giving a walk to Ryen Wolcheski (1 for 1, 3 BB), then cleanup hitter Lauren Lindberg (2 for 4) threw an RBI double to center field to score Wolchesky. Lindberg was third on the first pitch to Cyr (2 for 3, BB). She stole third and continued at home plate after a pitching error on the steal attempt as Lindberg tied the game, 2-2.
Lyman Hall added two more points in the third. Again, Chase and Peruti were the catalysts. Chase fired a triple on a blast down the right field line and scored on a brace from Peruti as LH went up 3-2 in the third. Keera Reed (2 for 4) made it 4-2 with a hard ground single in the middle scoring Peruti.
Sheehan hit in the third inning and scored three times to go 5-4 against LH reliever Haley Guliani.
The round started with Reilly Hunter reaching on an error. She was erased on an outfielder’s choice by Ivie Archer. Ryen Wolcheski scored Archer on an RBI brace to cut the deficit to 4-3. Cyr tied the game with an RBI single.
Brooklyn Stanley and Geary, who both went 2 for 3, followed with singles to charge the bases. Math tied on balls to force Cyr home and Sheehan took his first lead of the game, 5-4.
Guliani forced a comeback and blocked loaded bases to keep the Trojans inside.
Math had a blank inning for the Titans in the fourth, retiring the team in order.
Reed got in the circle for Lyman Hall and worked around a two-out walk to Wolcheski to keep the Titans off the board in the fourth.
Lyman Hall tied the game in the fifth. Peruti hit a one-out single and scored on an RBI triple from Trocchio to tie the game, 5-5.
Reed escaped trouble in the fifth and blocked loaded bases. Chase made two plays at shortstop in the hole to help keep Sheehan off the board in frame.
Math threw around a pair of starting singles to keep the Trojans from the board at the top of the sixth and the game remained tied, 5-5.
Then Sheehan burst for six runs late in the sixth. Archer reached on an error, Wolcheski walked, and Lindberg singled to charge the bases. Cyr made it 7-5 by throwing a two-run single to the right.
Stanley walked over to load the bases and Geary cleaned them with his dinger. It was his first circuit of the year.
“I was a little nervous going to home plate,” Geary said. “I knew we needed races and I just wanted to support my pitcher and be there for her. I just held back and waited. I was proud to be there for my team and to support them.
Lyman Hall put on a big rally at the start of the seventh. Trocchio started the rally with a circuit inside the park on the right.
With two inputs and one output, the bottom of the LH order started to make noise. Abi Benane (2 for 3) took a walk to move Chordas, who singled and stole second, to third base. Guliani (2 for 4) then went down in a bloop single to make it 11-7.
Bre Mather got dunked with a pitch and gave Chase another chance. She scored a two-point double.
“Emily Chase was just scorching hot today and I’m really proud of her,” Lavado-Berghorn said. “She showed why she was captain and leader tonight. She hit the ball so well tonight. Keera also held firm on the pitching mound.
“We were ready. We fought back and were six inches from the tie. Sometimes things go your way and sometimes they don’t. We will fight next year.
Peruti nearly played the hero, but his shot was just a foul and the Trojan rally fell through and the Titans celebrated.
“Alana had a fantastic game and sometimes all they remember is the last at bat and not that they had a big part in creating it,” Lavado-Berghorn said. “She played really well today, as well as Emily and Jorja who all hit well. We couldn’t have done anything else tonight.
Tuesday was another chapter in a rivalry that has produced close matches over the years.
“It’s always like that against Lyman Hall,” Wyant said. “No leash is ever safe or comfortable. But I’m glad we got the win today. This one means a lot and I’m so happy for the girls.