The Chesterton softball team battled back from a 4-0 deficit Thursday night, but dropped a 5-4 9-inning Duneland Athletic Conference contest at Crown Point.

The Bulldogs jumped on Trojan starter Taylor Harlow in the second inning as as they strung together a pair of singles and a walk with one out. The first run scored on a passed ball and the final two scored on Amiee Favia’s first double of the night.

CP pushed the lead to 4-0 in the third inning with a leadoff triple by Jessica Martinez. She scored on a sacrifice fly.

“The first three runs may not have happened if we make a couple of plays differently,” Chesterton coach LouAnn Hopson said. “Our defense was solid, but the outfield had a tough day.”

Chesterton tied the game in the top of the sixth when Heather Overla led off the inning with a single. An infield single by Alexis Paz was followed by a three-run home run by Amanda Gough. Sam Bozak kept the inning alive with a triple and scored on Kelci Garcia’s double.

“We were only able to string hits together in the sixth,” Hopson said. “Everything else was scattered.”

The game stayed tied until the bottom of the ninth when Favia led off the frame with a double for CP. A bang-bang play at second went the way of the Bulldogs and she would eventually score on a fly ball single to left field.

“The call’s we didn’t get were frustrating for sure,” Hopson said. “But, we had plenty of chances.”

The Trojans return to the field today as they host Lowell beginning at 4:30 p.m.

Crown Point 5, Chesterton 4

AT CROWN POINT

SCORING BY INNINGS

Chesterton 000 004 000 -- 4 8 0

Crown Pont 031 000 001 -- 5 12 0

2B -- Kelci Garcia, Alexis Paz (C); Amiee Favia 2, Amber Pierce (CP). 3B -- Sam Bozak (C); Jessica Martinez (CP). HR -- Amanda Gough (C). Pitching Summary -- Chesterton -- Taylor Harlow (1 1/3 IP, 4 H, 1 BB, 1 K), Catie Armstrong (7 IP, 8 H, 0 BB, 8 K); Crown Point -- Jackie Beilfuss (9 IP, 8 H, 1 BB, 8 K). WP -- Beilfuss. LP -- Armstrong.

Posted 5/9/2008