Warsaw softball held its Wounded Warrior Project and Salute To Service game Tuesday against Elkhart Central. (Photos by Mike Deak)

WARSAW – The game was built in to be memorable, then became one to remember.

Warsaw, trailing 3-0 in the bottom of the fifth, scored nine runs in its next two frames to stun Elkhart Central, 9-4, Tuesday afternoon.

Morgan Ashtari shakes hands with retired and active servicemen prior to the game.

Already on tap to be the Wounded Warrior Project Game as well as a Salute To Service, Warsaw rolled out the red carpet for servicemen before the game. Bringing on veterans and active servicemen to join the teams on the field pregame for lineups and the national anthem, Warsaw put into motion in its second year a tribute to those who serve a greater mission.

Roy “Rev” Blake threw out the first pitch, a veteran from the US Navy as well as a dedicated servant to Warsaw Community High School. Central then took the lead, scoring three runs in the top of the first on a pair of errors and a sharp single from Emily Grimes.

Warsaw, wearing its special dark camouflage jersey tops, finally broke through in the fifth when Saylor Bradley started the scoring with an RBI single. Abby Glass came home on a wild pitch, and Adara Frey brought home a run on a bases loaded walk. Kalie Keener then delivered a big blow with a two-run single to make it 5-3.

One frame later, Izzy Dittmar scored on a wild pitch leading to Bradley driving in another run on a double, then scoring on an error. Morgan Ashtari made it 9-3 with a sacrifice fly.

Roy ‘Rev’ Blake threw out the first pitch.

Central got one back in the seventh, but pitcher Courtney Chookie slammed the door to give the Tigers a win on a very special day.

“I thought this was a great cause from last year and I thought it was worthy of carrying on,” said Glass. The tribute game began last year under the direction of then-senior Sarah Shoemaker. “Ultimately, I decided to stick with it this year. I’ve always respected the effort the military puts in for our country.”

Warsaw softball held a silent auction and bake sale to help raise funds for Wounded Warrior Project, as well as hit up local businesses to sponsor. The figures from the legwork will be determined at a later date.

“We were really fortunate to have businesses help us with this,” Glass stated. “It’s not easy for someone our age to walk into a business and ask for money or donation items. But we did have several places help out. A lot of our girls know business owners, and a lot of places were gracious in helping us out. I think it all worked out.”

Bradley finished with three hits while Chookie, Dittmar, Glass, Keener and Shannon Randels all had two hits apiece in the 15-hit Tiger attack.

Warsaw moves to 10-11 overall and will sew up Northern Lakes Conference play Thursday against Elkhart Memorial. Warsaw finishes the regular season Friday against Tippecanoe Valley and Saturday at Manchester.

Warsaw’s Izzy Dittmar throws to first against Elkhart Central.