VERSAILLES – Early in the year the Lady Railroaders run ruled Ansonia 14-3, but the familiarity of playing a team twice can make for some interesting situations.
Bradford (20-5), seeded second after rolling through the WOAC with an 11-0 league record, found itself in a battle against Ansonia (16-7) in the sectional final at Versailles High School on Tuesday.
Fortunately, Bradford was able to overcome two fielding errors by connecting on some big hits en route to a 5-3 victory.
Bradford opened the game with a run in the top of the first, but Ansonia tied the score with a ru in the bottom of the third.
The big inning for the Railroaders came in the fourth with a three-run inning to take a 4-1 lead. Bradford scored another run in the sixth, while Ansonia plated a run in the fifth and the sixth for the final 5-3 margin.
Bradford connected on seven hits in the contest with three of those going for extra bases. Nylani Beireis homered, while Alani Canan and Remi Harleman doubled. Harleman led Bradford with 2 hits, while Rylee Canan and Austy Miller also connected on hits for the Lady Railroaders.
Beireis went the distance in the circle, allowing 8 hits, while striking out 3 and walking 2. She only gave up 1 earned run as the other two runs by Ansonia were unearned.
Bradford advances to play Fayetteville-Perry in the district final on Friday at Dixie High School in New Lebanon. The game starts at 5:00pm.