By Ron Haramia
Pilot Sports

PLYMOUTH — It was just a matter of time.

Through four innings of its Northern Lakes Conference softball game against Wawasee Friday afternoon, Plymouth had nothing to show for its seven hits and two other baserunners. But Lyzz Smith continued her hot-hitting with two key hits to spark the Lady Pilgrims' 7-5 come-from-behind win.

"It was ugly and there aren't very many style points, but it says 'W'," said PHS head coach Ed Kelso. "It seems like every game someone comes up with the big hit. Lyzz's (two-run triple in the fifth inning) was huge."

Smith finished 3-for-4 with two RBIs and Jessica Centa was 3-for-3 to lead Plymouth's 15-hit attack. Brittany Bingle, Bryttenny Gaines and Kelsey Millea all added a pair of hits, with Gaines driving in two on a well-placed double during a four-run sixth inning.
Wawasee struck first with three runs in the top of the third on five hits, two of which did not leave the infield.

Down 3-0, pinch-hitter Haley Jaggers opened the bottom of the fifth for the home team with an infield single and Olivia Keilman followed with a sharp single of her own. Smith stepped up to the plate next and roped a long ball to the left-field fence and legged out a triple. Gaines' long flyout to center then plated Smith to knot the score at 3.

The Lady Warriors picked up a fourth run in their half of the sixth inning, but Plymouth exploded for four in the bottom half. Bingle and Centa opened the frame with back-to-back singles. Wawasee pitcher Shelby Willard got the next two batters on a strikeout and popout, but with two outs Smith hit a rocket in the hole that Warriors shortstop Taylor Goshert dived for and knocked down. Smith beat the throw to first and when the ball got past the first baseman, both Bingle and Centa scored with Smith moving to second base.

Gaines was up next and smacked the ball up the middle, ricocheting off second base and into left-center field for a stand-up double and driving in Smith for the team's seventh and final run.
"It turned out that cushion came in handy," added Kelso, as Wawasee put two runners on to start the final inning, with one eventually scoring, before the Lady Pilgrims stopped any potential comeback with three straight putouts.

The PHS defense made a number of highlight-reel plays to support winning pitcher Ashleah Wheat, including third baseman Millea's snag of a hot line-drive in the fourth inning, center fielder Bingle's running catch in the fifth and Centa's put-out on a swinging bunt from her catcher position, also in the fifth.

Both teams left eight runners on base.

Plymouth will travel to NorthWood next Monday, then host ninth-ranked Northridge Wednesday and CGA Friday to finish off the regular season schedule.

• PLYMOUTH 7, WAWASEE 5
At Plymouth
Wawasee  003 001 1—5 14 3
Plymouth  000 034 x—7 15 1
Shelby Willard (L) and Angie Beer; Ashleah Wheat (W) and Jessica Centa.
2B: Bryttenny Gaines (P)
3B: Lyzz Smith (P)        
Records: Plymouth 9-14 (7-5 NLC), Wawasee 5-17 (2-10 NLC)