BUCYRUS — There were two story lines in Bucyrus’ softball game with Carey Thursday afternoon.

One was amazing though not shocking — Lady Redmen pitcher Caleigh Rister struck out 18 Blue Devil batters.

The other was the difference in the game. With Bucyrus trailing 5-4 in the bottom of the sixth, ninth-place hitter, Sierra Frost, stepped to the plate with two runners on and two out.

Frost ripped an 0-1 pitch over the left-fielder’s head sending the ball to the base of the fence, scoring both runners, to give the Redmen a crucial 6-5 Northern 10 Athletic Conference victory at Jack Hewitt Field.

“Honestly, my mind was blank,” Frost said of the plate appearance. “I was just looking for a strike.”

The win kept Bucyrus (9-1, 6-0 N10) alone in first place in the league. Frost’s clutch hit salvaged a win in a game where Rister gave up five runs — only two were earned — while recording the 18 Ks.

The Redmen hadn’t played a game in 10 days due to a COVID-19 quarantine and Bucyrus coach Jerry Hargis thought that could have been a factor.

“We were flat,” Hargis said. “I don’t know if it was the layoff. But the kids came back. A win’s a win.”

The rust showed early for the Redmen. Carey’s Lex Clinger drew a two-out walk and moved up on a passed ball. Mary Racheter struck out, but the ball got away from the catcher and Racheter reached first. A throwing error on the play allowed Clinger to score for an early 1-0 Blue Devils’ lead.

Bucyrus tied it in the bottom of the second. Faith Schifer drew a two-out walk, Karli Spears singled and Schifer scored on a wild pitch.

The Redmen took a 3-1 lead in the third on singles by Haley Dye and Addy Rister, a wild pitch, and an error.

It stayed that way until the pivotal sixth inning. Carey (4-10, 2-7) bunched three singles to go with an error and a walk to plate four runs and assume a 5-3 lead.

“It was a close game, definitely,” Carey coach Teresa Gillig said. “We played pretty good defense. I thought we hit Rister well. She’s a good pitcher.”

The Redmen took the punch and got off the mat in the bottom of the inning. Jade Torres walked and Ashley Davis was safe on a fielder’s choice. Taisha Spears singled home Torres to get Bucyrus within 5-4, setting the stage for Frost’s heroics.

“That’s why it’s called a team, not one person,” Hargis said. “Caleigh was out there pitching her butt off. She didn’t have her best stuff.”

Rister then retired the side in the top of seventh to seal the win, though Hunter Hart did single with one out for the Blue Devils and stole second.

“We put the ball in play and came up one short,” Gillig said. “One good thing is this group fights to the end.”

Carey pitcher Kenzie Simons was touched for six runs, three earned, on six hits, while striking out two and walking three. Meghan Littlejohn had a triple and Carmen Conigy singled twice. Hart, Clinger, and Simons added singles.

Rister walked just two to go with her 18 strikeouts. The Risters —Caleigh and Addy — each singled, as did Dye, Taisha Spears, and Karli Spears, to go with Frost’s double.

“I’m just glad the kids are healthy and playing again,” Hargis said. “I thought there were times we hit the ball and (Carey) caught it. They did a good job.”

“It’s nice to play a tough schedule,” Gillig said. “It gets us ready for the tournament.”

“Every game is important to us,” Hargis said. “If you’re in first place, everybody’s trying to knock you off.”

Box score

Carey       100 004 0          5       6      4

Bucyrus   012 003 X         6       6      3

WP: Caleigh Rister (18 SO, 2 W)

LP: Kenzie Simons (2 SO, 3 W)

HR: None.

Triples: (C) Meghan Littlejohn.

Doubles: (B) Sierra Frost.

Multiple hits: (C) Carmen Conigy.

Records: Carey 4-10, 2-7 N10; Bucyrus 9-1, 6-0 N10.

Next: Wynford at Carey, Friday; Bucyrus at Seneca East (2), Saturday.