By TODD REED

News Leader Sports Editor

Ashley Potts' RBI single through the left side proved to be the difference as Malvern won its tournament opener against Caldwell, 10-9.

The Lady Hornets trailed 7-3 after four innings of play, before scoring two runs in the fifth and three more in the sixth for an 8-7 lead.

The Lady Redskins scored two runs in the top of the seventh to take a 9-8 advantage.

Kristin Murray led off the bottom of the seventh with an infield hit. Stephanie Bennington followed with another infield hit, and Jessica Harry loaded the bases on a swinging bunt single.

With one out, Bianca Burwell was called out via the infield-fly rule. The ball was dropped, and Murray sprinted home with the tying run.

With runners at second and third and two outs, Morgan McKinney was intentionally walked to load the bases.

Potts came through in the clutch, driving in the game-winning run with a clean single through the left side.

"Trailing 7-3, things were not looking good," stated Head Coach Jim Townsend. "We held them in check for a couple of innings, and we scored two runs in the fifth and things started looking better. We hit our way back into this game, something we haven't done all year.

"This win was a total team effort. The girls played better defensively and had a lot of confidence at the plate. Bianca and Ashley have both been hitting the ball of late, and Morgan has been getting on base. The top of our order has really come through for us lately."

Murray had a big game at the plate, going 2-for-4 with three RBIs and a run scored. Burwell was 3-for-5 with a double, two runs and an RBI; Christina Mayle was 2-for-4 with two doubles, two stolen bases and an RBI; Potts was 2-for-4 with an RBI; and Bennington was 2-for-3.

Jessica Harry earned the complete-game win, allowing three earned runs on 10 hits. She struck out five and walked four.

This is the fourth time in the past five years Malvern has reached the sectional finals. They were to face Strasburg on May 14, with the winner advancing to districts.

The Lady Hornets (6-16, 2-12) were to face Tusky Central on May 13, before closing out the regular season hosting Garaway on Wednesday, May 21.

Ridgewood 12

Malvern 3

Burwell was 3-for-4 with a triple, RBI and two runs scored; and Mayle was 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI.

Harry pitched all seven innings, giving up 10 earned on 14 hits.

Strasburg 8

Malvern 0

Burwell had the Lady Hornets only two hits.

Nicole Fair went the first three innings, giving up five runs, four earned, on five hits. She walked four and struck out two.

Mayle pitched the final three innings, allowing three runs, two earned, on two hits and four walks.

Newcomerstown 6

Malvern 1

Harry pitched well, allowing four earned on seven hits. She struck out two and walked two.

Burwell was 3-for-4 with a run and Potts was 2-for-3 with an RBI.

treed@alliancelink.com