There was serious concern in the Liberty dugout when Pleasant Valley took a 6-0 lead on the ‘Canes in the first inning of softball last Thursday at Liberty.

But Hurricane freshman pitcher Hailey Pyle and some hot bats by her teammates eased that concern throughout the next several innings.

“I’m always relaxed on the mound. I have no emotion and as much as we were losing by, that did not matter at all,” Pyle said.

While the bleeding began to stop for the Hurricanes as they answered with two runs, it had only just begun for the Bears.

Samantha Kurnovich’s double to right field put the ‘Canes ahead. At that point, Pleasant Valley failed to score another run for the rest of the game.

“I trust my defense and today, with everybody hitting, that was really good,” said Pyle, who also had a double in the game. “I had only one strike on me, and like I said, I’m always relaxed so I’m just looking for my pitch and hitting it.”

The Hurricanes scored five more runs in the fourth inning.

Tori Panik had a base hit to left field, Pyle walked, and Hannah Bosco had a single to load the bases for senior right fielder Ellie Powers.

Powers’ two-out triple to left center cleared the bases, and the Hurricanes led 10-6.

“The energy today, I felt good coming in. Right time, you know?” Powers said. “I really wanted a hit, and the pitcher wasn’t ridiculously fast. I was back in the box, and I took a swing.”

Ariana Castillo followed up with a triple to left field, and Molly Devers hit a double down the third base line.

“I think our hitting’s improved,” said Liberty coach Sam Carrodo. “We’ve been getting better at bats, better swings on balls.”

In the bottom of the sixth, Cassidy Kassis and Meghan Kinney had a double apiece, each to left field, and the last two RBIs of the game.

“This is a very talented team, and it’s a good push for next year,” Coach Carrodo said. “We needed a lot more individualization of position that we didn’t get a chance to do. The girls are doing everything they can to try to win, and I need to get them to the next level.”

Liberty’s last game of the season was the following day, ending in a 9-0 loss to East Stroudsburg South.

Said Powers, “We don’t have a winning record, but sometimes a team has a year when it’s a learning experience. It’s about making the most of what you have and your talent.”