Caldwell County’s girls were within one strike of a win over Crittenden County on Monday.
But the Lady Rockets rallied to force extra innings, then defeated the Lady Tigers 6-4 in nine innings in Princeton.
Caldwell appeared to have the momentum after a two-run home run by Brylee Butts put the Lady Tigers up 3-1 in the fourth inning.
That was still the score with two outs in the top of the seventh with nobody on base for the Lady Rockets.
But Georgia Holeman reached on an error to extend the inning. Elliot Evans then looped a single just inside the third-base line.
That brought up Anna Boone, who singled into right-center, driving in both baserunners and knotting the game at 3-3.
With the international tiebreaker rule in effect in the eighth inning, each side scored once to make it 4-4.
Crittenden (6-8) got a sacrifice fly from Macibelle Hardesty.
Caldwell (8-8) scored its run on an error. The Lady Tigers then had a runner at third base with just one out, and loaded the bases with two outs. But Caldwell could not get the game-winning run in from third.
Crittenden then got a big base hit from Andrea Federico in the ninth. With the game still 4-4 with two on and two out, Federico drove a pitch into right-center for a two-day double to give the Lady Rockets their 6-4 advantage.
Boone retired Caldwell in order in the bottom of the frame to end the game.
Boone picked up the win in the circle, going the final three innings in relief of Brodi Rich. Boone did not allow a hit while striking out one and walking one.
Boone and Federico were each 2-for-5 at the plate with two runs batted in.
For Caldwell, Butts was 3-for-5 with a double, a homer and two RBIs. Daelen Kizzee was 2-for-3.
Caldwell took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on an RBI single by Harper Holeman.
Crittenden scored an unearned run in the third inning to tie the game.
The Lady Tigers will play at home again on Tuesday against Graves County.
The Lady Rockets will host 5th District foe Livingston Central on Tuesday.
