By Andy Loigu

With his understanding of the realities of the world, the wise sage Yogi Berra once said, “it ain’t over, until it’s over.”

A case in point is the comeback which kept the Belvidere softball team alive in the Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Tournament on Saturday. Trailing 5-1 in the sixth inning and down to their final six outs of their first round game against visiting Warren Hills, Belvy exploded for a five-run inning and defeated the Blue Streaks 6-5.

With a 6-2 record, the 11th seeded County Seaters now prepare for the second round at sixth-seed South Hunterdon on Saturday, April 30 at a gametime to be determined.

Senior right fielder Emma Hickey drove in the go-ahead run for Belvidere. It was her sixth “ribby” of the season. Also involved in the uprising were senior shortstop Kylie Graham, with a hit and a run scored, and catcher Kayla Connors, who contributed a sacrifice fly.

In the pitcher’s circle, Mia Lawson, after a shaky start, settled down and struck out six Blue Streaks to keep the County Seaters within shouting distance.

Mia Ganter raked three base hits and scored twice for Warren Hills.

“We put the ball in play, have good baserunning, and create opportunities for each other,” said Belvidere coach Amy Krushinski. Hickey noted that she and her teammates help and support each other. “I feel as long as we pick each other up, we’ll win,” she said.

Also in softball, the Hackettstown LadyTigers exited the H/W/S Tournament with a 14-2 loss at Voorhees.

TIGERS BEATEN IN BASEBALL

In H/W/S baseball, fourth-seeded Phillipsburg also staged a comeback, scoring four runs when down to their last three outs, to eliminate 13th seeded Hackettstown.

The Tigers won a preliminary round game by a 5-3 score over Lenape Valley to earn the trip to Phillipsburg. Anthony Edwards scored two runs for the Hackettstown squad. Nick Struble socked two hits and drove in a pair of big runs.

Pitcher Stan Maney struck out six Lenape Valley batters.

Warren Hills lost 7-6 at Kittatinny in their first H/W/S matchup.

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Ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has left the building.