Watervliet Public Schools

In the nightcap, the Panthers showed incredible resilience, rallying from an early 10-2 deficit to earn a thrilling extra-inning victory. Despite falling behind big, the Panthers steadily chipped away at the lead, battling back inning by inning until they tied the game heading into extras. Mackenzie Birmele delivered in the clutch, ripping a bases-loaded single to drive in two runs and even the score. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Leila Liberto-Taylor came through with the game on the line, lifting a sacrifice fly to bring home the winning run and complete the comeback. Offensively, the Panthers got contributions throughout the lineup. Kaylee Bartee collected two singles and an RBI, while Alexis Eberhard added two singles and a run driven in. Madison Eberhard chipped in with two singles and a sacrifice bunt. Birmele finished with a single and two RBIs, Emma Kirksey added a double and an RBI, Rae Prestidge contributed a single and an RBI, and Liberto-Taylor added the game-winning sac fly. Birmele also picked up the win in relief, going 4.1 strong innings while allowing just two hits on one earned run striking out two. With the comeback victory, the Panthers secured a third-place finish in the Lakeshore Division at 6-4 and improved to 12-11 overall. Watervliet will look to keep the momentum rolling as they travel to Hartford on Friday to take on the Huskies.