BUCYRUS — The Bucyrus Lady Red are a much-improved team over the last two weeks.

And, as Lady Red prepared to battle Upper Sandusky Friday night, very few people — if any — were prepared for what they viewed.

But things were different from the outset. The Lady Rams are battling for a Northern 10 Athletic Conference crown. The Lady Red, on the other hand, were beginning to move up the league standings.

Then Bucyrus’ leadoff hitter, Marissa Middleton, opened the game with a long home run to left field, and things were never the same after that.

Upper did hold a 3-2 lead in the middle of the fourth inning before the Lady Red exploded for seven runs in the fourth inning and four more in the fifth to blast the Lady Rams, 13-3, in a five-inning affair,

With the win, Bucyrus improved to 5-6 overall, 4-6 in the Northern 10.

Upper’s league title hopes took a hit as well. The Lady Rams fell to 9-6 overall, 7-3 in the conference. What’s more, Upper fell 1 ½ games behind Mohawk in the league race.

Bucyrus coach Jerry “Pudge” Hargis said he was not surprised by his team’s vast improvement.

“I sort of expected this all year,” Hargis said. “We have good ability amongst the kids, but this is the first game that we put things together like this.

“Everyone contributed a little bit and did everything, and that’s what makes the game fun,” Hargis added.

While Middleton set the tone with her homer, she said that the team has gotten better each week.

“It’s been good, it’s been a good winning streak,” Middleton said. “We have more confidence and we’re going to build off of it.

“We’re all just believing in ourselves and it’s good,” she added.

Hargis said that one of the reasons his team has improved is the weather has improved as well.

“We’re not a cold-weather team,” Hargis said. “But as it warms up, we get better and better.

“Upper is a pretty good ball team,” Hargis added. “They’re gonna go somewhere. This is our fourth straight league game, and we won three out of the four. That’s a pretty good week.”

After Bucyrus opened the game with a 1-0 lead on Middleton’s homer, it increased the lead to 2-0 in the second on a walk and an error.

Upper finally got to Bucyrus starter Kendra Blizzard in the fourth.

Two walks, and a single from Madison Hart, loaded the bases, A sacrifice fly from Ava Saull scored one and a Hope Morris double to right added another. An infield single from Ella Frombaugh gave the Lady Rams the lead.

That lead, however, didn’t last long.

Belle Bruss walked to open the frame, before Middleton singled and Brook Dennison tripled to right center, scoring both runners.

Haylee Stratton singled home Dennison, Natalie Hankins singled, and Karlee Shull walked, loading the bases. Tavia Parker singled, scoring two more.

After Blizzard set down the Lady Rams in the fifth, Bucyrus closed out the game in the bottom of the inning.

Middleton singled for her fourth hit of the game and Dennison reached on a fielder’s choice. Stratton knocked home Dennison with a single and then another fielder’s choice and a walk loaded the bases. Freshman Addie Weber ripped a double to left, scoring all three runners to end the game.

“(This win) means a lot because Bucyrus isn’t known to win a lot of games in a row,” Dennison said. “This is the first time we’ve got four wins in a row, and I think it’s really boosting our confidence and it means a lot.”

Blizzard tossed a complete game, scattering five hits while striking out and walking three.

“Kendra did a nice job, especially considering that just two days ago, she pitched another whole game,” Hargis said. “She’s a winner. She’s a competitor. She’s a great kid and a student.”

Bailey Fox, Frombaugh, and Aleah McCann worked in the circle for the Lady Rams, but Bucyrus banged out 13 hits in the game.

“I’m happy with our team,” Hargis said.

Box score

Upper Sandusky   000 30X X          3        5        5

Bucyrus                   110 74X X        13      13       0

WP: Kendra Blizzard (3 SO, 4 W)

LP: Bailey Fox  (3 SO, 3 W)

HR: (B) Marissa Middleton.

Triples: (B) Brook Dennison.

Doubles: (US) Hope Morris; (B) Addie Weber.

Multiple hits: (B) Marissa Middleton 4, Haylee Stratton 3, Natalie Hankins.

Records: Upper Sandusky 9-6, 7-3 N10; Bucyrus 5-6, 4-6 N10.

Next: Upper Sandusky at Riverdale; Bucyrus at Upper Sandusky, Thursday.