By TR HARLAN

The Chesterton softball team jumped out to an early lead, survived a rally, then got a walk-off game-winning single by senior Alexis Paz in the bottom of the seventh to pick up an 8-7 victory over LaPorte on Thursday evening.

“This is one that we have to feel fortunate to win,” Chesterton coach LouAnn Hopson said. “I’m pleased that our offense kept the pressure on almost every inning.”

The Trojans (11-5, 7-2) got three runs in the bottom of the first to stake them to an early lead. Taylor Harlow ripped a single to right field scoring Catie Armstrong and Amanda Gough. Sam Bozak would score the third run on a passed ball.

After LaPorte scored two runs in its half of the third, the Trojans picked up a run after a Gough double when Harlow singled her home for her third RBI of the day.

“I thought we hit the ball well,” Hopson said. “We actually had many more scoring opportunities than LaPorte. We just didn’t get the big blast for extra base hits tonight.

“We had to score them one base at a time.”

The Trojans added two more runs in the fourth inning when Kathleen Maple was hit by a pitch to start the rally. Heather Overla put down a sacrifice bunt and Alexis Paz singled and moved all the way to second.

With runners on second and third, lightning lit up the sky and forced a 40 minute delay.

The delay didn’t cool off the Trojan bats as they returned and got a sacrifice fly from Sam Gross and an RBI single by Armstrong.

LaPorte scored one run in the top of the fifth and Chesterton put another run on the board in its half of the frame. Sam Bozak drew a leadoff walk and went to second on a passed ball. Harlow’s ground out moved her to third where she scored on another passed ball.

“At that point, it’s 7-3 and with the way we were hitting the ball, I thought we were in good shape,” Hopson said. “LaPorte just kept hitting deep stuff. You figure when your staff strikes out 10, things are looking good.”

In LaPorte’s sixth inning, the leadoff hitter gets on and that’s followed with a single. Bailee Nielsen, batting in the ninth spot in the lineup, rips a 3-run home run to pull the Slicers within 7-6.

“The real killer is that we didn’t stop the number nine hitter,” Hopson said. “She had a double and a home run. I’m guessing she won’t be the number nine hitter for long.”

In Chesterton’s sixth inning, the Trojans loaded the bases, but couldn’t score and LaPorte responded again in the seventh.

A leadoff double to left field was followed by a sacrifice bunt and a strike out. A ground ball up the middle was thrown away scoring the tying run for the Slicers.

“I know that our pitchers have to be disappointed,” Hopson said of Harlow and Armstrong. “the LaPorte hitters did a good job. Some of those kids that hit the hard shots looked off balance in most of their at bats.”

In the Trojan seventh, Harlow reached on an error and was pinch-run for by Kelley Kulczyk. Kelci Garcia got walked to put runners on second and third. Chesterton’s next two hitters struck out and popped out. Alexis Paz hit a 1-2 pitch over the right fielder’s head for the game-winner.

Chesterton returns to the field tonight when they travel to Hebron to take on the Hawks beginning at 4:30 p.m.

Chesterton 8, LaPorte 7

AT CHESTERTON

SCORING BY INNINGS

LaPorte 002 013 1 -- 7 10 3

Chesterton 301 210 1 -- 8 10 1

2B -- Karlonie Richie, April McCarty, Jessica Wallen, Jessica Craft, Bailee Nielsen (L); Amanda Gough (C). HR -- Bailee Nielsen (L). Pitching summary -- LaPorte -- Amanda Jones (2 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K), Sam Kasinger (5 IP, 7 H, 3 BB, 2 K); Chesterton -- Taylor Harlow (3 1/3 IP, 5 H, 6 K, 0 BB), Catie Armstrong (3 1/3 Ip, 4 H, 4 K, 0 BB). WP -- Harlow.

Posted 4/25/2008