By: Elliot Schneider
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
WAUSEON (May 8, 2026) — Momentum swung wildly from inning to inning Friday night, but in the end, Wauseon delivered the final blow, walking off Montpelier 7-6 in a dramatic non-league showdown.
The contest featured explosive momentum shifts, late-inning rallies, and several costly defensive miscues that ultimately proved decisive.
Montpelier struck first in the opening inning when Zoe Uribes lined an RBI single to score Maggie Jacob and give the Locomotives an early 1-0 advantage.
Wauseon answered immediately. The Indians tied the game on a sacrifice fly from Josie Russell that brought home Bella McGuire, and later in the inning, Abby Kissel crossed the plate to push Wauseon in front 2-1 after one.
The Indians continued to apply pressure in the second. Kissel added an RBI of her own before Russell delivered another run-scoring single, extending Wauseon’s lead to 4-1.
For several innings, the Indians appeared firmly in control. Montpelier struggled to generate offense through the middle frames, while Wauseon added another insurance run in the fourth when Ammeriah George ripped an RBI double to score Madison Lane and make it 5-1.
But everything changed in the sixth. Facing a four-run deficit and running out of opportunities, the Locomotives erupted offensively. Myleigh Dye started the rally with an RBI single, and Shelby Terry followed with another run-scoring hit to trim the deficit to 5-3.
Moments later, Rowan Brown delivered the biggest swing of the night, drilling a two-run double that plated both runners and tied the game at 5-5, completely shifting the momentum.
The comeback wasn’t finished there. Brown later came around to score on a Wauseon defensive error, capping a stunning five-run inning and giving Montpelier a 6-5 lead after trailing by four entering the frame.
Wauseon was unable to respond in the sixth, and after Montpelier went down quietly in the top of the seventh, the Indians entered their final at-bat needing one more rally.
McGuire and Kissel both reached base to begin the inning, immediately putting pressure on the Locomotive defense. After a lineout, Shelbi Leija was intentionally walked to load the bases with one out.
That set the stage for Addison Baldwin. Baldwin hit a sharp ground ball back to the pitcher, and Montpelier attempted to cut down the tying run at the plate.
However, the throw was mishandled by the catcher, allowing both McGuire and Kissel to race home and seal the walk-off victory for the Indians.
MHS 100 005 0 – 6 8 1
WHS 220 100 2 – 7 10 1
WP- Breah Teal (IP-7, R-6, H-8, K-8, BB-3)
LP- Cianna Shoup (IP-6.1, R-7, H-10, K-2, BB-5)
LEADING HITTERS: (Montpelier) Shelby Terry – 2 singles, RBI; Rowan Brown – double, 2 RBIs; Zoe Uribes – single, RBI; (Wauseon) Bella McGuire – triple, double, 2 singles; Josie Russell – double, 2 RBIs; Abby Kissel – 2 singles, RBI.
