It's said that it's hard to beat a team three times in a season, and theoretically even harder to beat them three times in a single week.
On Thursday, in the opening round of the 3A East region playoffs, Long Reach traveled to Centennial and proved that old saying to be true.
Starting fast with three runs in the top of the first inning and never really slowing down from there, the sixth-seeded Lightning produced the offensive power needed to knock off the third-seeded Eagles, 12-8.
"Today meant a lot, especially to me as a senior going out. I told all of my teammates how important it was that we really come out and put our all into this game and that's what happened. Everyone contributed," said Long Reach senior Alina Milauskas, who finished the day 2-3, with a double, 3 RBI and 2 runs scored.
Long Reach (4-15) had lost both games of a double header against Centennial (11-8) to close out its regular season on Monday. But given the chance at redemption, the Lightning responded with what coach Melissa Boardman called one of the biggest wins for the program during her tenure.
"It's crazy to see each other three times this week and to be coming off those two losses, but when it mattered the most these girls pulled together to get this big win," Boardman said. "We were so aggressive on the bases today, which was excellent, and everyone in the order hit. We were talking, communicating and, most of all, having fun. For all my seniors, but especially Alina, to send them off with this is so great."
On the other side, Centennial coach Katie Grimm said some early miscues cost her team, with the Eagles making five errors on the day, but more than anything she just thought Long Reach came ready to play.
"I told the girls over there, we have to give it up to them … they played very well. They hit the ball well and took advantage of the mistakes we made," Grimm said. "Long Reach came here and meant business today. My hat is off to them. We actually hit the ball well from top to bottom of the line-up, we just made a few too many errors and they beat us."
Long Reach got going in the top of the first, as Stephanie Moy (4-5, double, 4 runs scored) led off with a single. The next two batters got on courtesy of errors and that set the stage for a three-run inning, with Milauskas and Isa Carunungan each picking up RBI.
Boardman said the fast start was huge for the team's mentality.
"We talk all the time about scoring in the first inning, getting on with our leadoff, getting their leadoff out … those are all big things in those first couple innings," Boardman said. "Not having to play catch-up, it changes everything. Playing from ahead is an entirely different mindset and I think that made all the difference today."
Centennial didn't score any runs in the first inning off Carunungan, who finished the day with five strikeouts as Long Reach's pitcher. But the Eagles, after setting the Lightning down in order in the top of the second, came through with a big inning of their own.
Sam Kastner led off with a single, Brita Hawtof followed with a single and then Abbey Strott drew a two-out walk to load the bases for Jordan Burk.
Centennial's leadoff batter proceeded to launch a bomb over the fence in left-center field for a grand slam that quickly gave the Eagles a 4-3 advantage.
"She has been an absolute stud for us all year and is so versatile. You saw it today, she laid down a bunt for a base hit and then shows her power with that grand slam," said Grimm. "A lot of people don't think she has that power, because she's so fast, but her slugging numbers this year have been terrific. She's been a big leader for us all season and that was her, in that moment, trying to carry this team and put everybody on her back."
But, as was the theme all afternoon, Long Reach's players never hung their heads. Instead, the Lightning came right back out in the top of the third and answered with four more runs of their own.
Again it was a leadoff single by Moy that started things. Rachel Jascavage added a single, Milauskas had an RBI infield hit and Kayla Widmaier had a RBI single as well. Those plays, combined with a two-run throwing error on a stolen base attempt, put Long Reach back ahead 7-4.
The Lightning never lost the lead again.
"We had a great practice yesterday where we really mentally and physically prepared for everything. And I have to give (Centennial) a lot of credit, they fought really hard back and that grand slam was one of the nicest hits I have ever seen," Milauskas said. "But (we) were just so determined today to not let this game slip through."
Long Reach tacked on another run in the fourth, with Moy doubling and coming around to score. Then, after Centennial cut its deficit to one, 8-7, with three runs in the fifth — courtesy of RBI singles from Kastner, Hawtof and Caroline Strott — the Lightning issued the knockout blow.
In the top of the sixth, Milauskas and Carunungan each smacked 2-RBI hits to increase the team's lead to 12-7.
Then over the final two innings, Long Reach shut things down defensively — allowing just one unearned run — to close things out.
Long Reach advances to play on the road against second-seeded City on Monday.
For Centennial, while disappointed in seeing the season come to an end, Grimm had nothing but praise for what her group of seniors was able to do in terms of leading this year's team to one of its most successful campaigns.
"It was a great season and I don't think at the beginning of the season there were that many teams that were afraid of us. But to battle through the injuries we did, losing our middle infield for a couple weeks, and still finish 11-6 (in county), I just couldn't be more proud," Grimm said. "This is the best group of seniors that I've ever coached. I told them at the beginning of the year that this season was going to be what they make it and they really took that to heart and executed a full year."
Long Reach 12, Centennial 8
123 456 7 R-H-E
LR 304 104 0 12-12-2
C 040 030 1 8-13-5