Wawasee’s Madison Mottern had the big hit Friday, a two-run single to lift the Lady Warriors to a 4-3 win over Westview. (Photos by Mike Deak)

SYRACUSE – “With a team this young, you’d expect them down 3-0 in the sixth to just fall apart. They didn’t fall apart, they fought,” said Wawasee softball head coach Mike Barger.

The belief and fight his extremely young team exhibited in the sixth inning yielded its only runs of the game, but enough to rally for a 4-3 softball win over Westview in the lid lifter for both clubs.

Kiaundra Olson earned the win in the circle for Wawasee.

The rally by Wawasee, which had five freshman start and another get an at-bat, saw patience at the plate create opportunities. Aubrey Kuhn opened the inning with a walk and advanced to third on a wild throw and stolen base. Ava Rush drove Kuhn in for the first run of the Wawasee season, and a pair of walks to Beth Flannery and Kiaundra Olson loaded the bags.

A wild pitch by Westview pitcher Zoe Williams, who was sharp through five in only allowing four base runners, brought in the second run and then consequently walked Graceanne Kerlin to load the bases again.

Madison Mottern worked the count full then dumped a single into left over the outstreched glove of Hayley Courtney, bringing in two runs and a shocking turn of events.

“The character, the mix, the freshmen molded with the seniors and juniors, it’s coming together to make this really neat team,” said Barger, who pointed out Mottern’s at bat. “I tell you what, I can’t wait for the rest of the season if they are going to fight like this.”

Wawasee’s Danielle Jenkins attempts a steal as Westview’s Hayley Courtney closes in to put on the tag.

Olson then turned the chance into her first career win in the circle, surviving a two-out walk in the seventh to get a weak flyout to third to cinch the victory. Olson gave up five hits and struck out four, her toughest inning the fourth when Westview picked up three hits and two runs, highlighted by an RBI single from Shelbi Smith. Grace Miller added an RBI groundout in the fifth to move the lead to 3-0.

Williams gave up just four hits but walked five, finishing with four strikeouts.

Wawasee (1-0) will hit the road Monday and Tuesday with back-to-backs at Lakeland and West Noble, then host Elkhart Central next Thursday before taking off for spring break.

Westview (0-1) will host Elkhart Christian and Goshen Monday and Tuesday before visiting Northridge next Thursday.

“I was scared that our defense wasn’t going to be ready, but if we play like that, we’re going to be back to where we were last year,” Barger stated. “Offensively, we’ve got a lot of things to clean up, but this is a great chance to see live pitching and I’ll take it.”

Wawasee’s Beth Flannery takes a cut against Westview.