STRYKER – They know each other well. Twice this season, the Pettisville Lady Blackbirds and the Stryker Lady Panthers met on the BBC battleground, with the decisions both going in the favor of Pettisville. On May 14, they met for the final time in 2013, not for BBC honors, but for the Division IV Sectional Championship. The play of Conner Varner was key as she not only stifled the Pettisville bats, she supported her own cause with a bases-loaded single in a four-run third inning that proved to be the tipping point, giving the Lady Panthers a 4-2 win.[emember_protected custom_msg=”Full content protected for online subscribers. Purchase a one week subscription from the top menu bar for just $1.99 to read all online content (full access). Longer subscription plans are also available. Subscriptions cover our costs to attend local events; bringing forth Hometown News Coverage to our communities.”]

Delaney Nofziger of Pettisville cruised for six innings, but the third was her downfall. With two down, the Lady Panthers loaded the bases and Varner was clutch, stroking a base hit to drive in two. Tasha Pegorch followed with another RBI single, and before Nofziger could register the elusive third out, another run crossed the plate. Pettisville got a run back in the bottom of the third and in the bottom of the seventh, but Varner made the lead stand in the end.

Varner allowed 2 runs on 5 hits and a walk, fanning 6, and Pegorch and Conner Sullivan each had a pair of base hits.

Nofziger allowed 4 runs on 8 hits and a walk, fanning 5 for Pettisville. Amber Klopfenstein had two singles, and Taylor D’Alelio, Emily Hubby and Kaija Blosser each had a base hit.

Stryker will try to avenge a 5-0 May 10 loss to Montpelier as they face each other in the opening round of District play.

Runs / Hits / Errors
Stryker 4 – 8 – 4
Pettisville 2 – 5 – 0[/emember_protected]