Izabelle McFadden singled down the third-base line to start the fifth inning.
She would eventually bat twice in the inning as the Mayville Cardinals brought 12 batters to the plate and blow open what was a close game against their rival Lomira and win 11-1.
The Cardinals (5-1 overall, 4-0 in Flyway) scored seven runs in the inning. Junior pitcher Allie Schwirtz singled up the middle with the bases loaded, driving in McFadden and Addison Anderson.
Four batters later, Kaitlyn Oechsner had a nearly identical hit to drive in two more. Oechsner would come around to score later in the inning when Anderson came back up and singled to center.
Lomira starter Haleigh Caspary, who was given the loss, had given up just two runs to that point. Those came in the first inning on an Adeline Youngbeck triple.
"Our bats today really kicked in when we needed it, especially against Lomira" Youngbeck said.
Mayville coach Steve Pliner said one of his team's best qualities is their ability to stay the course when the hits aren't coming.
"This team never gets rattled, we said that last year and we said that at the start of this year," Pliner said. "They just keep digging and good things happen when you do that."
Schwirtz gave up some traffic on the bases in the first three innings, for Lomira (7-1, 4-1) left six runners on base. Schwirtz then settled in and pitched excellently for Mayville, giving up one unearned run and striking out six.
"She's a special player," Pliner said. "Her pitching is fantastic. She had a great day at the plate today. She's just a great kid that works really hard."
Offensively, Schwirtz and senior Adeline Youngbeck led Mayville. Schwirtz went 3-for-4 with three RBIs and one run; Youngbeck went 2-for-2 with a double, a triple, two RBIs, two walks and two runs.
Youngbeck credited team chemistry and support as part of the reason for the Cardinals' offensive success.
"I just think having a supportive team in the background really helps," Youngbeck said. "Our energy was very high to start off with and I think it just encourages us to hit better."
WP: Allie Schwirtz - 6.0 IP, 10 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
LP: Haleigh Caspary - 4.1IP, 7 H, 8 R, 6 ER, 5 BB, 6 K
Mayville Leaders: Schwirtz - 3x4, 3RBI; Adeline Youngbeck - 2x2, 2B, 3B, 2RBI, 2R; Kaitlyn Oechsner - 1x3, 3RBI
Lomira Leaders: Savanna Frea - 3x3; Taylor Bloom - 2x3; Eleanor Collies - 2x3
*Stat credit to Game Changer
Comments