By PATRICK CASEY
The Paxton Lady Bobcats got the bats going on a Wednesday afternoon last week as they picked up a 9-6 district victory at home against the Bethlehem Wildcats.
Bethlehem jumped out on top with two runs in the top of the first inning only to see Paxton tie the contest with a pair of their own runs as a wild pitch allowed Chrissy Currid to score to knot the game.
Paxton took the lead with a run in the bottom of the third inning as Currid singled with Layce Miller driving her in with a double moments later.
Bethlehem exploded for four runs in the top of the fourth inning with seventh grader Ally Dady driving in two with a key single that turned into a 6-3 lead though the Bobcats were able to stop another run from scoring as a Wildcats runner was gunned down at home plate to end the inning.
Paxton put together a huge inning of their own in the bottom of the fourth as they plated five runs. Alex Sims had a single, Genesis Long drew a walk and Sidney Beck singled in a run to trim the deficit to 6-4. After a force out at home plate, Miller delivered a two-run double and later scored on Cassidy Brazile’s single for an 8-6 lead..
Long shut down the visiting team over the final three innings of her work on the mound with the Bobcats adding a run-scoring single from Currid in the fifth for the final margin of 9-6.
Long had eight strikeouts in the complete game victory as the Bobcats earned their first district win.
Paxton was unable to make it two in a row as Central edged the Bobcats 4-3 on Friday night to drop Paxton to 2-6 overall and 1-5 in district play.