MINFORD — The Falcons pulled out an up and down, wild game Friday evening by a score of 9-7.

“We came out flat,” admitted Minford Head Coach Preston Messer. “We had four errors in the first inning and they got a couple runs from that. But we managed to come back and take the lead 3-2.”

In the third inning Mary Pica hit a line drive to the Minford dug out that sent the Falcon’s left fielder to the hospital.

“It knocked her off her feet. She will be alright, but it was a hard hit. I think the combination of that and the early errors kind of weighed on the girls throughout the game. Luckily, our offense bailed us out tonight.”

With the game tied at 4-4, Oak Hill managed an RBI double that would give them the lead heading into the bottom of the sixth. Minford would answer back though, putting up five runs in the inning.

Now down by four runs, Oak Hill had runners on the corners with no outs. Coach Messer knew a double steal was coming, and he could be heard from the dugout telling his catcher to make sure she throws the girl at second out. His willingness to trade a run for an out paid off, as Oak Hill indeed sent both runners, stealing home but having the runner on second gunned down.

Oak Hill would score once before the end of the game. While Zoe Doll started the game, Ariel Kingery came in the game on relief early in the first inning.

“Our team stepped up when they needed too but we came out flat. This game seemed like it lasted 10 hours,” laughed Messer. “I’m proud of them for refocusing later in the game.”

Minford is 11-2 so far on the year.

“We only have two losses on the year, one to Circleville and one to Waverly. Our conference is tough. We play Valley Monday and that will be a good test. We are hitting the ball really well right now, we have six different girls with home runs so far this year. So, I’m happy with what we’ve done so far but we have to keep improving.”