By Rob Potter
LIBERTY — The Nugget softball team broke open a close game with four runs in the fourth inning, two runs in the fifth inning and nine runs in the seventh to record a 18-5 win against Lindsey’s Cuisine last Tuesday night in a Sullivan County Women’s Softball League (SCWSL) game at Liberty Elementary School.
Holding a 3-2 lead after three innings of play, The Nugget extended its advantage in the top of the fourth. Courtney Hunt, Karen Perrello and Shari Biro all had RBI singles in the frame to help The Nugget push its lead to 7-2.
In the top of the fifth, Roxanne Kehrley scored on a single by Karen Warden to give The Nugget a 9-2 advantage.
The Nugget (3-10) sent 16 batters to the plate in the top of the seventh. Nine of those batters reached base and came around to score as the team took a commanding 18-3 lead.
Key hits in the inning included a two-run double by Amanda Davis, an RBI double by Heather Ackermann and RBI singles by Jessica Ashcraft and Biro.
After The Nugget took a 3-0 lead in the second inning, Lindsey’s Cuisine responded with two runs in the bottom of the third.
With two outs, Jen Smith hit a ground ball to shortstop. She sprinted down the line to first base, beating the throw for an infield hit. The next batter, Melonie Cruz, singled to right field.
Smith scored the first run of the evening for Lindsey’s Cuisine when Christy Clark singled.
Moments later, Melonie Cruz crossed home plate on an error to cut The Nugget’s lead to 3-2.
Lindsey’s Cuisine (1-9) added a run in the fifth when Smith scored on an infield single by Eve Cruz.
Lindsey’s Cuisine added two runs in the bottom of the seventh. Heather McGurn crossed the plate on a fielder’s choice and Smith scored when Eve Cruz singled.