North tops Collier 5-4 in 10 innings
Runs came in bunches in Tuesday’s Region 3-4A softball quarterfinal playoff game at Bobbie Dewey Field.
Each team rallied at least once to extend the game before North Fort Myers came through with the deciding run in the bottom of the 10th inning to knock out Barron Collier 5-4.
The win extends the Red Knights’ season to the Region 3-4A semifinal round where they will host Naples Friday night. Naples advanced with an 8-0 win over Riverdale.
North struck right away in the first inning. After Lexi Schlotter doubled to ignite the rally, Jasmine Santiago came through with an RBI single to break the ice. After a sacrifice bunt, Jackie Owen delivered a run-scoring single for a 2-0 lead.
Owen, who struck out 10 batters while giving up four runs on 10 hits, recorded her 20th win of the season (20-5). She also contributed at the plate with three hits.
Collier tied the game in the fifth using three single and two walks.
That’s where it stayed until the ninth when Collier grabbed a 4-2 lead. Both runners, who reached base on walks, scored with two out when a single to the outfield was bobbled for an error.
The Red Knights (21-5) answered to extend the game a second time. With two runners aboard, Santiago lined a two-run single to center with Amber Plaza just beating the throw to the plate with the tying run.
Owen worked out of a two-on, one-out jam in the 10th to give the Red Knights another chance.
Owen started the winning rally with a single to left. Paige Engh laid down a sacrifice bunt and Owen took third base on a fielder’s choice play. With two out, Micheala Schlotter’s ground ball to short was bobbled just long enough for Schlotter to beat the throw at first as Owen scored the game-winning run. It was the only error of the game for Collier.
Barron Collier 000 020 002 0 – 4 10 1
North Ft. Myers 200 000 002 1 – 5 11 2
W – Jackie Owen (20-5). L – Schaus.
2B – Lexi Schlotter (NFM).