WHITEHALL — Hart pulled off a dramatic comeback win over Whitehall in Tuesday’s season-opening doubleheader as part of a sweep of the two games.
The Pirates scored three sixth-inning runs to defeat the Vikings 3-2 in the first game of the twinbill, then routed Whitehall 15-5 in the second game.
Hart got four straight hits to start the sixth, which sent three runs across the plate. Makenna Carrier opened the run with a single, advanced to second on a passed ball and stole third base before Caydence Bateson drove her in with a single. Bateson then also reached third and Reese Smith drove her in with a single of her own. Leah Walker laced a double to bring Smith in for what became the winning run.
Smith got the win in the circle, striking out nine and allowing six hits.
The Pirates recorded a double play in the bottom of the sixth to maintain the lead, and Bailey Helenhouse assisted on the final out of the game by throwing Janie Fagan out at second attempting to stretch a single into a double.
Hart kept the momentum going into the second game, scoring seven times in the first two innings by drawing several walks and getting some timely hits. A five-run outburst in the sixth made the score 15-5 and allowed the game to end by mercy rule. Maria Rodriguez’s two-run single was the big hit in that final run.
Elyssa Tanis pitched the second game and got the win, allowing only one earned run on two hits. She struck out four.
