By Yaneek Smith

Special to the Sentinel-Tribune

TONTOGANY — For six innings, it appeared as though Otsego was going to eke out another victory in a pitchers’ duel.

But that all changed with Eastwood’s back against the wall as the Eagles scored four runs in the top of the seventh inning before holding on to defeat the Knights, 4-2.

With Otsego (9-5, 3-2 NBC) leading, 2-0, and Riley Rowe needing just three more outs for the win, Cynthea Cassdorph hit a single to center field, and after she was lifted for a pinch runner, Maddi Hartman worked the count full before whacking a home run over the fence in center to tie the score.

Eastwood (10-6, 4-2) added two more runs with Makayla Hady lifting a ball deep to center that hit the wall, which was good for a double, and, after Adyson Bowe struck out, Karly Wasserman hit a liner to right field that gave the Eagles the lead for good after Hady scored, and Wasserman moved up to second on the throw home.

Then, Lily Escobedo had a bloop hit to center, and a wild throw to third allowed Wasserman to come home unscathed.

Eastwood coach Joe Wyant said Hartman’s home run and her play put it all in motion.

“That was a huge hit. She came through for us,” Wyant said. “She’s a freshman, so it’s been up and down for her, but she’s done a great job catching for us.”

Hartman added, “Once I was relaxed, I just hit the ball. It was one of my favorite moments, and it got us back into the game. It’s a big victory and it means a lot.”

In the bottom half with the Knights facing their final three outs, Cailyn Rider popped out to center, Aubrey Hartman hit a double to left, Cailyn Lorenz grounded out to second, moving Rider over to third, but Mackenzie Shirkey lined out to left to end the game.

In each the first three innings, the Eagles left the bases loaded once, stranded a runner on third and left a runner on second.

“I was afraid after the first three innings because we left four runners in scoring position. It was just two good pitchers going at it,” said Wyant. “In the last inning, I thought we could get (something going).”

Otsego coach Jason Colyer said it was a tough loss after Eastwood’s late rally.

“They had some timely hitting there in the seventh. Their leadoff hitter got on, and I think their hitting became contagious,” he said. “They capitalized when they needed to.”

In the top of the first, Bowe led off by drawing a walk, Wasserman had an infield single and Escobedo hit a ground ball to Otsego shortstop Evelyn Rider, who threw to third base for the force. Makenzie Grover popped out to first base and Cassi Kieper drew a walk before Cassdorph grounded out to short to end the threat.

In the second, Hany hit a two-out double to left, but Rowe got Bowe on a strikeout.

In the bottom half, Cailyn Rider hit a triple to right-center field, but Cassi Kieper struck out Aubrey Hartman, Lorenz and Shirkey to end the inning.

In the top of the third, Wasserman struck out before Escobedo hit a single and moved up to second on a wild pitch. Grover hit a ground ball to second, which moved Escobedo to third, but Rowe got Kieper to strike out.

In addition to Hartman’s home run, Wasserman and Escobedo both went 2-for-4, and Hady was 2-for-3 with two doubles.

Rowe broke a scoreless tie when she hit a solo home run over the fence in center to give the Knights a 1-0 lead in the third, and Shirkey, who has come up with some clutch hits recently, sent a pitch to almost the exact same spot Rowe did in the fifth.

Kieper had a good game, allowing two runs on five hits to go with 11 strikeouts and one walk. She struck out the side in both the second and third innings.

“I think she did a great job,” said Wyant. “I think she had just one walk and 11 strikeouts, so that’s huge. She was behind in the count sometimes, but she had some 3-0 (counts) where she still got a strikeout.”

Rowe allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits and had 11 strikeouts and allowed two walks.

“Rowe was her usual self,” said Colyer. “I don’t know if she missed some pitches in the seventh, but we’ll go back (and look at it).”