By: Severn Zieman 

The Mohawk Mountaineers gave up winning runs in the bottom of the eighth inning in each of their losses during a Thursday night doubleheader versus the Sheridan Bruins.

Despite the disappointing nature of the losses, Mohawk has to be encouraged by the fight shown in each game and by the fact that the offence is showing tremendous promise.

Game one was a back-and-forth affair with each team taking the lead at different points of the game.

Mohawk opened the scoring in the first inning and added to the lead, but Sheridan would fight back resulting in a 3-3 tie after six innings.

The Mountaineers eventually took the lead at the top of the eighth inning, but would fail to maintain it on their way to the 5-4 loss.

Kerri Smith (Hagersville, ON) had another solid pitching effort in her 2022 campaign despite the loss, playing the complete game and keeping the Mountaineers in a competitive position throughout. The second-year player has settled into their role nicely and has had consistent efforts to start the season.

Gracie Martin (Six Nations) led the offence with two hits in the game, picking up two RBIs as well.

Game two was a particularly tough loss as Mohawk fell into a large deficit early and fought their way back, only to have the comeback effort fall short in the end.

The Mountaineers found themselves down 10-4 after the fourth inning but came all the way back to take the lead in the top of the eighth inning after they scored seven unanswered runs. But it was once again a two-run bottom of the eighth by the Bruins that eventually sank the surging Mohawk side.

The Mohawk offence was led by Olivia Thompson (Peterborough, ON) who had three RBIs on the day. Seven different Mountaineers had a hit in the game.

Mohawk will hope to find a consistent effort on both sides of the ball when they play the Lambton Lions in a doubleheader at Mohawk Sports Park on Sept. 17 with game one at 12 p.m. and the second game set for 2 p.m.