Epic finish comes up short for the Orioles

Having been mostly out-played, out-thunk and out-hustled all game by the Iroquois Braves, the Rocky Grove Orioles went into the seventh inning of the opening round of the District 10 playoffs down 5-2.
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What was about to happen turned this fairly ordinary one-sided game into one of the ages.

Paige Cresswell led off doing what was needed if they were going to come back - she laced a double into the outfield.

​Raelynn Montgomery then took one to the body and the Orioles had two runners on with no outs.

Zoe Cresswell drilled one at the shortstop who couldn't handle it and all of a sudden, with no outs, the Orioles were in business.

A strike out seemed to stall the effort but then Kaylin Jacoby found the centerfield grass and with a throwing error two runs scored.
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Down only one now, Jillian Cratty laid down a solid bunt that was fielded cleanly, but the throw was off the mark and it let to two more runs scoring and the Orioles taking the lead 6-5. But that's all they scored after a base running error ended the inning.
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They put themselves in the position to win, but Iroquois had another at bat.

And they wasted no time. Three solid hits to the outfield in a row led to two runs, the last coming off Karina Reichard's double to end the game 7-6.

Elizabeth Mawhinney was the starting pitcher for the Orioles and Paige Cresswell came in in the third inning. Iroquois left several on base as the Rocky Grove pitchers hunkered down only giving up five runs through the first six innings.
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Base running and mental errors are what ultimately  cost the Orioles. A pick off at third on a bunt, getting caught in a pickle between second and third on a sac fly RBI and then being picked off at second lackadaisically to end to seventh.

A couple passed balls as well allowed runs to score. The Orioles were right there, neck and neck with the Braves and just inches away from advancing and keeping their season going. They ened a couple games under .500. Iroquois advances to face the top seed Cambridge Springs in the district semis.

Early in the game the Orioles were giving Iroquois runs. A fielding error in right center led to a throwing error. A passed ball later an Iroquois was up 2-0.

The Grove bounced back. Paige Cresswell reached base after being drilled by the Iroquois pitcher. Montgomery than singled to right scoring Cresswell.

Then Iroquois countered, again aided by errors. They scored three more to take a 5-1 lead.

In the fifth-inning Zoe Cresswell singled and after a walk they had two runners in scoring position.
​A sacrifice fly plated one, but the second runner was caught in a pickle that ended the inning.

Cresswell pitched well down the stretch keeping the Braves close, but the bottom of the seventh was just too much and Braves jumped on early pitches and drilled them to end the Rocky Grove season.

Below are some more photos from this hard fought game.