Chain Reaction falls after two rain delays

To advance, Chain Reaction must win three games today.
By ZACH STIPE
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
WARREN -- Despite Mother Nature's best efforts, Chain Reaction and the Queensbury, NY., Royals were able to complete their 16-and-under PONY National Softball Tournament game at Packard Park Thursday.
After two delays and about five hours after the game's original start time, Royals pitcher Ciara Groesbeck struck out Chain Reaction second baseman Jessica Connell to secure a 3-1 win in eight innings.
Chain Reaction is made up of players from around the Valley and is coached by Champion coach Cheryl Weaver.
Chain Reaction must battle their way out of the loser's bracket to advance in the tournament. They play today at 8 a.m. at Springfield Park in New Middletown. If Chain Reaction wins that game, they will get another crack at the Royals at 9:45 a.m., but must win two games to the national bracket.
"At this point you are facing good teams," Weaver said. "You go down to the loser's bracket and it really makes it tough."
Plagued by weather
The game was scheduled to begin at 9:45 a.m. but was pushed back for maintenance to the field after Wednesday night's showers. Another rain delay occurred right before the completion of the fourth inning.
Just before 11 a.m. both teams took the field hoping to avoid their first loss in tournament play.
Royals leadoff hitter Ally Petta began the game with a double off of Reaction pitcher Erica Snoddy. A throwing error allowed Petta to score the game's first run.
Snoddy settled down after the first inning, letting only one batter on base over the next three innings.
Petta was just as dominate, though. She recorded six strikeouts and gave up no runs until a storm halted the game with the Royals clinging to a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning.
Play resumed two hours, 20 minutes later.
Quickly tied the score
The wait must have re-energized the Reaction because the team quickly tied the score.
Left fielder Krista Kiraly led off the bottom of the fifth with a bloop single. Right fielder Kristen Berry followed with a bunt that moved Kiraly to third on a throwing error. Kiraly scored the first run when Snoddy grounded out.
Reaction threatened again in the sixth, loading the bases with one out. Groesbeck, who entered the game in the fifth, battled back and escaped the inning without giving up a run, though.
With 80 minutes of play completed after six innings, international tie-breaker rules went into effect. Each team began the inning with a runner at second base.
Neither team scored in the seventh.
A throwing error allowed the Royals to take the lead in the eighth. Stef Gibson scored the go-ahead run, then Petta added to the damage with an RBI single. Groesbeck worked a perfect final inning.
Petta and Groesbeck were outstanding for the Royals, combining to give up only one run on six hits, while striking out eight.
Kiraly led Reaction with two hits.
Snoddy outstanding
Snoddy had a remarkable day as well. The Lisbon pitcher gave up only one earned run on three hits, while pitching the complete game.
Both coach and pitcher said that allowing a runner on second base for the tie-breaker changed the dynamic of the game.
"When you go to that international tie-breaker anything can happen," Weaver said.
"There's a lot more pressure," Snoddy added.
Snoddy, who led Lisbon to the Tri-County League title in the spring, was disappointed with the loss, but optimistic about her team's chances throughout the rest of the tournament.
"I'm hoping we can make it all the way through," she said. "Softball is my life."