Platte County didn’t lead against Liberty until Avery Webster finished her at-bat with one out in the bottom of the sixth in Tuesday’s nonconference matchup with Liberty. The Pirates senior infielder continues to provide clutch hits during an encouraging start to the season.
Platte County senior centerfielder Anna Crowell throws the ball back in from the outfield in a game against Liberty on Tuesday at Platte County High School.
Webster’s double to right field plated two — the tying and winning runs in a 5-4 come-from-behind victory at Platte County High School. In seven games, the four-year-starter has put up a .476 batting average with four extra-base hits.
Platte County (4-3) scored three in the sixth against Liberty, turning a 4-2 deficit into a one-run lead. The Blue Jays scored three in the first inning but went into the top of the seventh needing a run to extend the game.
Instead, Platte County sophomore starting pitcher Danica Salisbury worked around a leadoff single by recording three straight outs without the runner advancing past first base. She scattered five hits and a walk, while striking out two to earn the win.
Platte County freshman first baseman Allison Riggs makes a putout during a game against Liberty on Tuesday at Platte County High School.
Liberty drew a walk then came up with an RBI triple and two-run home run to take the initial lead in the top of the first.
After stranding two in the bottom of the first, Platte County closed within 3-2 with a pair of runs in the bottom of the second. A walk, error and single from sophomore left fielder Evie Thrasher loaded the bases, and Pirates freshman shortstop Bryli Seiefert came home on Webster’s groundout to shortstop.
Platte County senior infielder Emma Reed then scored on a wild pitch with two outs, but the potential tying run ended up stranded at third.
Liberty scored a single run in the top of the fourth to extend the lead back to 4-2 but had just two runners the rest of the way against Salisbury. Platte County continued to apply pressure but couldn’t score after back-to-back two-out singles from Thrasher and Webster in the fourth and then breaking out again in the sixth. Pirates senior right fielder Kallie Hitzelberger reached on an error to start the frame and scored two pitches later on Seifert’s double to center field.
Platte County sophomore Evie Thrasher rounds third base in a game against Liberty on Tuesday at Platte County High School.
After Reed walked and both runners moved into scoring position on a passed ball, Seifert was thrown out on a fielder’s choice, only for Webster to pick her up with a double to plate Reed and Thrasher.
Platte County missed a chance to extend the lead with Webster stranded at second, but the five runs and six hits were enough for a second straight win.
Blue Springs 3, Platte County 0
The Pirates were held to just one hit and ended up with a nonconference loss on the road Thursday in Blue Springs.
Blue Springs pitcher Lucia Trevino retired the first seven batters she faced before Reed singled with one out in the top of the third inning. She advanced to second on a passed ball but ended up stranded at second. The Wildcats led 2-0 at that point thanks a two-run home run in the bottom of the first against Salisbury, who allowed two earned runs on six hits while striking out three and walking none.
Platte County didn’t have another runner the rest of the way, and Blue Springs used a pair of doubles in the fifth to extend the lead to 3-0.
