For The Tribune

BROWNSTOWN

The Brownstown Central softball came up clutch in the fifth inning, scoring five runs, to pull out a 9-7 home victory Saturday against Southwestern (Hanover).

Catcher Maeleigh Tidd knocked in two runs for her team, and Kourtney Brannaman came in a pitched the final three and two-thirds innings to keep the Braves perfect on the season.

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Tidd also threw out three base-runners in three consecutive innings to help the Braves win their second-straight game.

Trailing 7-4 to start the fifth inning, the Braves bats came to life.

Leading off the inning, Katelyn Gray singled prior to Tidd driving a double to deep center field, advancing Gray.

Lisa Scott followed with a single of her own, which scored Gray.

Jamie Bryant then notched a single for the Braves, scoring two runs.

Branaman’s single, with the next at-bat, tallied another Braves run.

The Braves were able to advance Branaman home, to finish the inning with five runs, for the 9-7 lead.

“In the sixth inning we had six hits, when we were down,” Braves coach Monte Ault said. “I was real happy the way we came back and went ahead

“We’re a good defensive team, and we’ve got solid pitchers. Lisa does a good job at shortstop, and Brooke Ebbing made a nice play at third base. Overall, I think we’ve got a pretty good team. We’ve got good hitters up and down the lineup.”

Ault felt that his squad gave up too many unearned runs on the game.

“I believe they had four runs that were unearned,” he said. “We had a few errors we shouldn’t have committed, little things, but I think we’ll be alright on that.”

Bryant pitched three and one-third innings for the Braves before Branaman came in to relieve the rest of the way.

Brannaman only gave up two hits, while striking out four in relief.

The Braves will get little rest, as they go to Bedford North Lawrence tonight before heading to Columbus East on tomorrow.