TORONTO – The Toronto softball team was on the ropes, but East Palestine was unable to deliver the knock out blow.

The Bulldogs jumped out to an 8-0 in the top of the second inning, however, the Red Knights stormed back and tallied the final 10 runs of the game to rally for a 10-8 victory in six innings Tuesday evening inside Michael Simpson Park.

“It was a crazy game,” first-year Toronto (7-6) head coach Shannon Bahen said. “It is nice to come out on top, obviously.”

After falling behind by eight runs, Toronto plated three runs in the third to pull within 8-3 before erupting for seven runs in the fifth to take the lead at 10-8.

“We have struggled a little bit at the start with our pitching all year,” Bahen said. “It’s been mostly on the road, but tonight it happened at home. We made a pitching change early. We brought Asafailo in to pitch, and Gump stayed in the game at first base.

“The kids rallied. They did not want this to be a 10-run game. They dug deep, and they battled back.”

The visiors from Columbiana County tallied three runs in the first to take an early lead before tacking on five more in the second to extend their advantage to 8-0, however, they did not score another run the rest of the way.

Vivian Gump started inside the circle for the Red Knights, and she ended up with a no-decision. Gump struck out one and walked four in her 1 1/3 innings of work. She was replaced with one out in the second by Maddie Asafailo. Asafailo collected the win for the girls from the Gem City as she struck out six while walking only one.

East Palestine (3-5) also used two pitchers in the game. Kennedy Andre started the game, and she was saddled with the loss. Andre struck out four and walked three in her 4 1/3 innings of work. She was replaced by Alivia Magness with one out in the fifth. Magness did not strike out a batter while walking one in her 2/3 of an inning inside the circle.

The Bulldogs outhit the Red Knights, 9-7, but the Knights were aided in their comeback by five East Palestine errors.

“It was a total team effort today,” Bahen said.

Offensively for Toronto, JJ Rebich recorded a single, a double and an RBI, Jaylee Brown tallied two singles and an RBI and Lily Sapp and Gump each produced a single and an RBI. Also, Arianna Highsmith singled, and Asafailo finished with two RBI.

“We have worked the last week on pitch selection,” Bahen said. “The longer the game goes, the more pitches you are going to see and the pitcher is going to get fatigued. It is imperative for us to see pitches, and once we see a pitch, we hop on it. We drew some walks, and we took advantage of some mistakes. We put the ball in play. Good things happen when you put the ball in play. It is nice the game ended up in our favor.”

For East Palestine, Andre delivered two singles, two doubles and two RBI, Cami Kridler and Destiney Burtyk tallied a single and an RBI and Magness ended up with a double. Also, Sydney Jurjavcic and Graycee Ford each finished with a single, and Kara Lewis contributed an RBI.

The game was delayed for a bit due to weather, and the Red Knights found themselves having to play catch up from the outset, however, the hosts did not throw in the towel as they battled back and pulled out the victory.

“Our motto is ‘Do your job,'” Bahen said. “Everybody has to do their job from the girls on the bench, to our courtesy runners and our pinch runners. We have to take it one play at a time. Down by eight runs, you are not going to get it all back with one swing. You are not going to get it all back in one at-bat. We chipped away, and the kids responded.”

The teams were scheduled to play two five-inning games starting at 4 p.m., but the plan had to be scrapped due to East Palestine having a transportation issue.

“East Palestine played a great game,” Bahen said. “I hope we are able to make the other game up. I am proud of these kids. I am thankful for my coaching staff. It is great that I am able to lead the girls.”

The hosts opened the season by winning four of their first five games to start the season at 4-1, however, the tide turned and Toronto lost five of their next six games to drop below .500 at 5-6, however, the team has won its last two games to get back on the right side of the ledger.

“We have had some bad breaks,” Bahen said. “We have had some injuries. We were banged up a little bit, but that comes with playing multiple games in a week. We have gotten some key wins against teams in Class 2A in the OVAC, and we have won two games in a row. We want to keep it rolling it making it three wins at Buckeye Local on Thursday.”

East Palestine is scheduled to play county and EOAC rival Lisbon at 5 p.m. today at home. The Bulldogs defeated the Blue Devils, 12-1, Monday on the road.

Toronto is slated to play Buckeye Local at 5:30 p.m. Thursday on the road.

Toronto 10, East Palestine 8

East Palestine 530 000 – 8 9 5

Toronto 003 07X – 10 7 1

EAST PALESTINE (3-5): Andre LP (4 1/3IP, 4K, 3BB), Magness (2/3IP, 0K, 1BB) and Burtyk and Valingo. Kridler S, RBI; Jurjavcic S; Andre 2S, 2D, 2RBI; Ford S; Burtyk S, RBI; Lewis RBI; Magness D.

TORONTO (7-6): Gump ND (1 1/3IP, 1K, 4BB), Asafailo WP (4 2/3IP, 6K, 1BB) and Highsmith. Sapp S, RBI; Rebich S, D, RBI; Brown 2S, RBI; Highsmith S; Gump S, RBI; Asafailo 2RBI.