Allen Holds Off Hebron Late to Even Softball Series at 1-1

A five-run fifth inning looked like more than enough cushion—until Hebron made things very uncomfortable in the final frame.

Allen hosted Hebron in game 2 of their softball series Friday night, with the Eagles holding a 1-0 series advantage and looking to sweep. The Hawks had other ideas, but it was Allen's bats that set the tone early.

With the bases loaded in the fifth and Allen leading 2-1, freshman Claire McKeever ripped a ball into the gap and all the way to the wall, clearing the bases and pushing the lead to 5-1. Later in the same inning, Kate Bettge attacked a pitch with a single to right, scoring two more runners and making it 7-1.

That margin evaporated quickly in the top of the seventh. Lilly Pirrello hit a ball down the left-field line that stayed fair, bringing in two runs. Hebron scored two more to cut the deficit to 7-5, and with power hitter Liz Cardona stepping up with runners on second and third and two outs, the tying run was in scoring position.

Third baseman Jojo Zollermann fielded Cardona's grounder cleanly and made the throw across the diamond to end it. Allen escapes with the 7-5 win, evening the series at one game apiece.