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It was a rollercoaster of a game on Tuesday in Athens. First, Jersey Shore scored five runs to open the game in the top of the first inning.
Then Mechanicsburg responded with five in the bottom to tie the game.
Mechanicsburg took the lead. Jersey Shore responded with a lead.
In the end, however, it was Mechanicsburg holding on for an 11-9 win as errors proved to be the difference and hurt Jersey Shore's major softball team in the Section 3 opener on Tuesday evening.
With the loss, Jersey Shore drops into the elimination bracket and faces Athens on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.
"Offensively I think we had like 13 hits, but the story of the game was errors. We just made too many defensive errors when they had runners on base and against good competition, that's what caught us in the end," Jersey Shore manager Adam Wrench said.
Jersey Shore played tough the entire game though. After Mechanicsburg tied it 5-5, it would go ahead thanks to three runs in the third to lead 8-5. But Jersey Shore fought and took the lead with a four-run fourth inning, 9-8.
Mechanicsburg reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the fifth with three runs and Jersey Shore just wasn't able to claw back in the final two innings.
"A close game, but story of the game there unfortunately was we weren't ourselves on defense," Wrench said. "But we'll get back at it tomorrow."
Jersey Shore was able to see success at the plate. Faith Wrench, Riley Bowmaster, Addy Swales and Madi Barger all led Jersey Shore with 2 for 3 performances. Sophie Lehman was 1 for 3 with her single driving in two runs.
Eden Teneyck had a triple while Swales, Bowmaster, Lehman and Cali Black all hit doubles.
"The girls never gave up," Wrench said. "They knew we were in for a fight and the girls pulled the momentum their way. At very end they were able to pull away from us."
Jersey Shore goes into Wednesday's elimination game knowing they have to play solid to hope to advance and continue playing for a sectional title.
"The girls aren't ready to end this season. They're not ready for it to be over, that was clear tonight when the game was over. But, as we talked with the girls, at this level this time of summer, every play counts and every at bat counts so we have to try to make the most of our opportunities," Wrench said. "They know that. We're going in tomorrow like it is do-or-die, but their mindset approach is going to be they have to put their best foot forward. We have to play our best ball.
"We know Athens is good competition so I think they're rady for it and we'll see when we take the field tomorrow. But I think they're ready," Wrench added.
Mechanicsburg 11, Jersey Shore 9
Jersey Shore 500 400 -- 9 13 2
Mechanicsburg 530 03x -- 11 11 0
Faith Wrench, Riley Bowmaster (3) and (n/a).
Top Jersey Shore hitters: Faith Wrench 2-3, RBI, run; Sophia Lehman 1-3, 2B, 2 RBIs, run; Riley Bowmaster 2-3, 2B, 2 RBIs, run; Addy Swales 2-3, 2B, RBI, run; Madi Barger 2-3, run; Kelsey Brooks 1-3, run; Madison Eck 1-2, run; Eden Teneyck 1-3, 3B, 2 RBIs; Cali Black 1-3, 2B, RBI, run. Top Mechanicsburg hitters: A. Laudeman 2-3, RBI, run; A. Heffron 2-3, run; H. Yoder 2-2, 2 RBis; L. Toth 1-3, 2 RBIs, 2 runs.