Warren’s Ana Stutts lays down a bunt, reaches base safely and eventually results in a three-base error which brought home two runs in the bottom of the second inning during Tuesday’s game against Marietta in Vincent. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

VINCENT — After scoring the eventual game-winning run, Warren’s Delaney Gates credited both her softball IQ and her family genes.

With Marietta and Warren tied at 5-5 and bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth inning, Emma Lang hit a comebacker to Marietta pitcher Julia Malone, who threw home for the force. In an attempt for the double play, her catcher rifled a throw to first base.

As Lang beat the throw, Gates never hesitated and scored from second base without the ball ever leaving the infield.

Warren freshman pitcher Kyla Williams walked a pair of Marietta batters in the seventh inning, but left them stranded after recording a strikeout for the final out and a 6-5 Warren win Tuesday at Warren High School.

With games scheduled every day this week through Friday, Warren improved to 7-10 and 2-1 in the Twin State League. Marietta dropped to 6-7 in their TSL debut.

Marietta baserunner Keely Hanson uses an unorthodox slide while stealing base during Tuesday’s game against Warren in Vincent. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

“I just kind of read the defense,” Gates said. “When their catcher threw it to first base, that was my chance to score the winning run.

“My aunt was really big into softball and unfortunately she passed away from cancer a couple of years ago – so I’ve grown up playing the game and something learned over the years.”

Warren never trailed, but Marietta made things interesting with a four-run fourth inning which tied the game at 4-4.

Claire Bills doubled as one of three hits in the inning. Chloe Harris and Sophie Morris both walked to load the bases – two of those baserunners scored as a result of a wild pitch. Keely Hanson and Kara Schaad went back-to-back with run-scoring singles.

For the game, Hanson scored twice and stole three bases, while Samanatha Mayo out of the leadoff spot in the batting order added another pair of stolen bases.

Warren’s Jayda Murray signals to her teammates after hitting a second-inning double during Tuesday’s game against Marietta in Vincent. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

“Our speed is the strength of our team,” Marietta coach John Pollard said. “But we have to get on base to be able to do that.”

With Marietta pitcher Julia Malone in the midst of a relief outing lasting the final 4 â…” innings, Warren retook the lead in the bottom of the fourth. With two outs and runners at first and second, Braylynn Bonnette delivered her second RBI single of the game.

Williams relieved starter Marina Johnson in the fifth inning and allowed just one unearned run in the sixth inning – a squeeze bunt from Kyleigh Constable which scored Hanson from third base in the sixth inning. Williams walked two and struck out four over three innings of work.

“We have kind of held Kyla back for a while and worked on her confidence, and just trusting her teammates,” Warren head coach Katie Dickson said. “High school ball is a lot different. My second pitcher, Marina, has stepped in every time I’ve needed her. It’s not her favorite place to be, but she rocks it. As soon as she shifts elsewhere, still continues to be a leader.”

Similar to Marietta, aggressive baserunning paid dividends for Warren, especially on the part of Gates. The Warrior sixth inning opened with a walk to Megan Brothers. The lineup turned over and Gates blooped a single just inside fair territory in left field.

Marietta’s Claire Bills makes contact with the Warren catcher while sliding into home plate as part of a four-run fourth inning during Tuesday’s game in Vincent. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

Bonnette kept the line moving by reaching on an infield error. Bases were now loaded with one out and Lang stepping to the plate.

“A part of the reason I love this group so much is because they are aggressive,” Dickson said. “It’s a whole lot easier to teach aggressive and be smart than it is to be conservative and be aggressive. And this group has that.

“DeLaney, along with several others, are good at reading the next base open. It’s my favorite thing to do, so we embrace it together and get it done.”

Coach Pollard went with his gut giving the game ball to Chloe Harris as his starting pitcher. The sophomore exited after 1 â…” innings.

“We struggled early on with walking batters – that’s kind of been our problem,” Pollard said. “Normally, Julia is our starting pitcher but I thought we would start with Chloe because she has been pitching well lately.”

Warren freshman Kyla Williams earned the victory with three innings of relief during the Warriors’ 6-5 win over Marietta, Tuesday in Vincent. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

Prior to the first pitch, Warren High School recognized its feeder programs as part of Youth Night. Nearly two dozen girls were in attendance.

“Youth softball has always been so supportive in our district,” Gates said.

Afterward, several players challenged the youth softball players to a race around the bases.

Not one single high school player let off the gas.

“Losing is something I’m not good at,” Gates added.

Marietta pitcher Julia Malone allowed just two runs in 4 2/3 innings of relief during Tuesday’s game against Warren in Vincent. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

Contact Kerry Patrick at kpatrick@newsadnsentinel.com

Tuesday’s high school softball game between Marietta and Warren in Vincent recognized Youth Night for girls in the Warren school system. Among those greeting the Warren High School players prior to the game is Micah Edgell, left. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)