Amy Nelson’s two-run double in the bottom of the seventh brought the top-seeded Hayfield softball team back from a 5-3 deficit as the Vikings vaulted into the sub-section finals with a 6-5 comeback victory over Waterville-Elysian-Morristown Wednesday night in Hayfield.

Friday, May 25, 2001

Amy Nelson’s two-run double in the bottom of the seventh brought the top-seeded Hayfield softball team back from a 5-3 deficit as the Vikings vaulted into the sub-section finals with a 6-5 comeback victory over Waterville-Elysian-Morristown Wednesday night in Hayfield.

Nelson, who also earned the win in the circle, drove in Megan Woslager and Crystal Stier as the tying and game-winning runs with one out in the bottom of the seventh.

"It’s definitely time for her to start hitting," Hayfield coach Jana Wagner said. Nelson was 2-4 from the plate, and allowed only six WEM hits.

The Buccaneers, however, charged forward from the get-go with five runs and a 5-1 lead through three innings. All five runs were earned to Nelson, who walked four and struck out three in the rain-dampened game.

"It took her a couple innings to settle in," Coach Wagner said.

Nelson got a little help from her defense, including first baseman Katie Berg. According to Coach Wagner, Berg made some key plays to prevent errors throughout the game.

Hayfield scored single runs in the second, fourth and sixth innings, before assembling the comeback in the seventh.

No. 9 hitter Heather Crabtree led the inning off with a walk, and Woslager reached on an error by the shortstop. Leslie Koski sacrificed an out to move the runners over, and Barbie Erath – running for Crabtree – scored on another WEM error forced by the bat of Stier. Nelson’s clutch two-run double ended the game – and the season for the Bucs.

The Vikings will face United South Central in the sub-section finals tonight at Wells at 5 p.m. Wells was the originally scheduled site of Wednesday’s game but USC’s field was too wet. USC upset second-seed NRHEG, 6-3, Wednesday night to advance to the finals.

Call Ross Thede at 434-2234 or e-mail him at sports@austindailyherald.com.