Manhattan High softball bounced back in a big way in Game 2 to salvage a split at Campus on Tuesday, falling 18-6 in the opener before rallying for a 15-12 win in 10 innings.
The Indians moved to 3-5 on the season, as senior Kat Ball turned in a big day at the plate, highlighted by a go-ahead three-run home run in the 10th inning of Game 2.
In Game 1, Manhattan jumped out fast with power at the plate. Allison Heidrick and Gracyn Neitzel led off the scoring with a solo home run, and the Indians later tied the game at 5-5 in the third behind a sacrifice fly from Josi Alesana and a two-run home run from Ball.
But Campus answered in a big way.
After the Colts scored five runs in the second inning, they broke the game open with an eight-run third to pull away for an 18-6 win by the sixth inning.
Aslyn Foveaux led Manhattan offensively, going 3-for-4, while Heidrick and Neitzel each added multiple hits, Ball drove in two runs and all four of those Indians hit home runs.
Manhattan’s pitching staff rotated through three arms, but the big innings proved too much to overcome.
Game 2 told a much different story.
Manhattan came out aggressive again, scoring five runs in the first inning behind a two-run home run from Alesana and an RBI double from Ava Gaither.
After Campus battled back to take a 7-5 lead in the third, the Indians answered with a five-run fifth inning to regain control. Gaither delivered a key two-run single in the frame, before Tierra Young doubled and Heidrick added to her strong day at the plate with a home run.
The back-and-forth continued late, with Campus taking a 12-11 lead in the sixth before Manhattan responded again in the seventh to tie the game.
In extras, the Indians delivered the decisive blow.
Ball launched a three-run home run in the 10th inning to put Manhattan ahead for good, capping a game that featured 27 combined runs. It was the second home run of the day for the Manhattan senior.
Heidrick led the charge offensively, going 3-for-5 with four RBIs, while Alesana, Solveig Chase and Young also each added three hits. Gaither contributed two hits and three RBIs.
In the circle, Alesana started before Heidrick took over in relief, working seven innings to earn the win. Manhattan finished with 17 hits in the nightcap, bouncing back from Game 1 to secure the split.
The Indians will look to carry that momentum into their next matchup at Junction City next Tuesday.