By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES - Talk about a nail-bitting game!
The Brandywine varsity softball team traveled to Coloma Tuesday evening for a pair of Lakeland Conference games.
Although the Lady Cats were able to pick up both wins, the first game was almost out of their hands.
Brandywine is currently tied with Buchanan for first place in the conference, but for most of the first game Tuesday, it appeared the Comets were going to post an upsetting win.
Coloma jumped to a 2-0 lead after three innings, but the Bobcats were able to tie with two runs in the fourth.
Both teams remained tied as the game lasted a total of 10 innings. Luckily, for Brandywine, it was able to score the winning run in the 10th, while holding the Comets scoreless in the bottom of the inning.
Kelli Zache took the win for Brandywine, throwing 17 strikeouts and allowing just one walk and two hits. Haley Gire suffered the loss for Coloma.
At the plate, Rachel Batman was the lone top hitter with a double and a single for Brandywine.
In the nightcap, the Comets saw a completely different Bobcat team.
Brandywine scored three runs to open the game and added four in the third inning and five in the fourth to take a 12-0 lead.
The Bobcat defense was able to stop Coloma from scoring any runs, which resulted in a five inning game.
Kelli Zache again took the win in the circle, bringing her season record to 17-5. Kendra Zache provided the relief in the third inning.
Top hitters were Kristina Ford with a triple, single and three RBIs, while Kelli Zache added two singles and three RBIs.
The Lady Cats, now 20-6 overall, 11-1 in conference, will host its own softball tournament this Saturday. Game times are set to begin at 9 a.m.