Some opportunistic baserunning from Ellis Benitez lifted the Greenfield Grizzlies to a dramatic, walk-off victory on Wednesday night.
Locked in a 9-9 tie in the bottom of the seventh inning, Benitez advanced to third on a passed ball, with Kylee Gamache drawing a walk on the play. Gamache continued running to second base, and when Frontier Red attempted to throw her out, Benitez broke for home to score the game-winning run in lifting the Grizzlies to a 10-9 win in a Suburban League 12U softball game at Murphy Park in Greenfield.
Greenfield led 9-3 after five innings, but Frontier Red rallied with three runs in the top of the sixth and tied the game with three more in the seventh.
MacKenzie Paulin earned the win for Greenfield, striking out nine and walking seven while allowing three hits and four earned runs. Benitez struck out three during her stint in the pitching circle.
Greenfield’s offense received two hits from Paulin, while Addie Rotkiewicz singled and drove in a run. Nina Holden also had a hit and an RBI, while Kelly Baird drove in a run for the hosts. The team took advantage of 12 walks.
Frontier outhit Greenfield by a 5-4 margin, with Claire Kirkendall leading the way behind a 3-for-4 night with three RBIs and two runs scored. Maggie Potter singled and drove in two runs, while Ashley Taylor had a hit and scored two runs. Margaret Edwards also scored twice, with Mel Ring and Olivia Machon (hit) driving in one run apiece. Lily Ellia was on base three times and scored twice.
• In 14U action Wednesday, the Greenfield Grizzlies rolled to a season-opening 14-2 victory over West Springfield at Murphy Park.
Kate Trudeau was 3-for-3 with four runs scored in the victory, while Brielle Widelo was also 3-for-3 with three runs. Widelo earned the victory in the circle, striking out nine for the Grizzlies.
Rachel Dodge aided the offense with two hits, a walk and three RBIs.
Greenfield heads to play at Frontier tonight.