If you had told the Heritage Lady Patriots they were going to go into a nine-inning scrap with the Rockdale Lady Bulldogs and lose, they probably would have burst into laughter. But, on Wednesday night, the girls from Rockdale pulled out a 7-6 walk-off win.

“I knew if the girls did what they were supposed to do we would win,” said Rockdale coach Justin Arrington. “As long as we do what we need to do, and keep our head in the game, we’re fine.”

In a game in which only bragging rights and rivalry were at risk, both teams went out and played like this would determine the championships.  The regional standings have already been determined due to the recent floods in the area canceling so many games, so Heritage (17-10) and Rockdale (14-4) strictly battled last night to gain momentum going into region tournament.

“We need to keep this momentum going,” Arrington said.

Heritage scored first, but it would only be the beginning of a back and forth scoring war between the two teams. The game started off a little sluggish for both teams, but key hits played a big factor in this win for Rockdale, as they tied it up in the bottom of the first.

During the top of the sixth, it looked as thought Heritage was going to again defeat county rival as it did, 2-1, in the first game of the season. But when Cidney Scoggins got two big hits and a pair of RBI over the course of the next few innings, it became a ball game again. The score was tied 5-5 at the end of regulation after Nikki Walden struck out the last Rockdale batter, Taylor Thomas.

Neither team scored at all during the eighth inning, but Heritage would end up scoring first in the 9th due to a bobble by Kaitlin Baker at home plate.  

In the bottom half of the inning, Quilla Franklin, Rockdale’s second baseman, bunted safely to first and advanced to Candace Johnson to second. Rockdale’s first baseman Amber Mitchell then knocked a ground ball through the gap, making the score 6-6.

Heritage coach Dickie Hightower opted to load the bases with an intentional walk, jamming the bases loaded for Katie Ferrell. Quickly after that move, a wild pitch brought Franklin home for the winning run.

“I was nervous, but with Quilla and Candace on base, I felt good. I knew their pitcher (Walden) was done,” said Baker after the big win for Rockdale.  

Arrington, however, knew his team was capable of the upset.

“I wasn’t nervous,” Arrington said. “We’ve gotten closer together as the season as progressed…of course wins like this help.”