NEW WASHINGTON — A big seventh inning proved the difference as Colonel Crawford plated six runs to break an 8-8 tie and knock rival Buckeye Central from the ranks of the unbeaten, 14-10, in a Northern 10 Athletic Conference game Tuesday night.

The first two batters were retired by Buckettes pitcher Adrienne “AJ” Jury before Emma Strausbaugh singled to center to start the uprising. That was followed by a pair of walks that set the stage for senior Hannah Allen’s three-run double to make it 11-8.

Lady Eagles head coach Ethan Weithman wasn’t surprised.

“That’s how we’re built. We’ve got to out hit everybody. Allison’s (Weithman) battling. She’s not a pitcher. It just so happened she had to pitch this year and she’s doing the best she can,” he said.

Madison Cobb added a single to drive in Allen for some insurance before the team added two more runs.

Weithman struck out six and walked five to get the win. Jury suffered the loss, yielding 11 hits with eight strikeouts and eight walks.

“We came away with a win and our big players stepped up when they had to. They made plays, got some key hits and running the bases,” Weithman said. “In the end, we won. That’s all that matters.”

BC’s Zoey Hoskins’ double drove in a pair of runs to tie the game at 7-7 in the home half of the sixth inning.

Buckettes head coach Todd Messmer knew his team was close.

“We had two outs and nobody on (in the seventh). Then we got a couple of fielding errors. And a good hit and that decided the game, I think. If we could have gone to the next inning tied, I thought we’d have a good chance,” he said. “We were hitting the ball well today.”

Rylie Hoepf had three singles for Colonel Crawford. Paige Allen drove in a pair of runs with a line drive down the third base line in the fourth inning.

Alyse Seifert added a single for the Buckettes, who are off to a 3-1 start despite the loss.

“We’re super excited. We had goals this year and we wanted to be in first place, where we’ve never been before. We’ve got work to do and there’s a lot of games to go,” Messmer said.

“We’re pleased with where we’re at right now. Our starting pitcher is out, so we’re in a hole right now.

We will take our lumps and battle and get better and be ready for the playoffs.”

Weithman and Madison Gray had RBI singles to open the game for the Lady Eagles. Buckeye added a pair in the second after a Faye Betts hit, Jury’s heads-up base running and a Crawford error.

“Allison had some key strikeouts. It’s hard to hit spots and get her where we need her to go. She battled and I’m proud of her,” Weithman said.

The rainy weather wiped out part of last week’s slate.

“It’s typical Ohio weather. These girls, when games have gotten canceled, they’ve come into the gym and worked their tails off. I told them, that’s all I can ask for. Just each and every day continue to get better and better and better,” he said.

Crawford is still adjusting its line-up.

“We’re still toying around with some things, moving some kids into spots and seeing which combination works the best. Bella Stratton has done a nice job at third base. Hannah’s done a really good job moving into short.

“We’re hoping to get another pitcher back shortly, which will help us out tremendously. Rylie Hoepf started out the year playing first base and then I moved her to the outfield, and it seems to have worked out,” Weithman said.

Box score

Colonel Crawford     201 500 6        14     11      2

Buckeye Central       221 111 2         10       6      2

WP: Allison Weithman (6 SO, 5 W)

LP: Adrienne Jury (8 SO, 8 W)

HR: None .

Triples: None.

Doubles: (CC) Hannah Allen; (BC) Zoey Hoskins.

Multiple hits: (CC) Rylie Hoepf 3, Allison Weithman, Madison Gray, Hannah Allen, Emma Strausbaugh; (BC) Zoey Hoskins.

Records: Colonel Crawford 2-3, 1-3 N10; Buckeye Central 3-1, 3-1 N10.

Next: Buckeye Central at Colonel Crawford, Wednesday.