VERSAILLES—Neighboring schools clashed Friday evening in a battle of the Lady Tigers. Each team had the lead at one point, but Ansonia maintained the consistency needed to win the game 5-2.

Ansonia took an early lead at the top of the first inning thanks to a Brooke Neal score from an Abby Helmke RBI single.

The score remained 1-0 into the third when each team stood their ground after early struggles.

In the top of the third inning, Ansonia was able to put two runners on base, but Versailles kept its poise, heating up for two straight strikeouts from pitcher Lauren Heitkamp and a ground out to end the inning.

In the bottom of the third, Versailles had the bases loaded with one out. Due to confusion after a pop fly out, runners were tangled and one was tagged out for the Ansonia double play. A huge scoring opportunity wasted due to miscommunication.

Versailles center fielder Hailey McEldowney made an incredible sprawling catch in the top of the fourth inning, which was followed by a strikeout and ground out to hold Ansonia in check—three up, three down.

Their claws visible, the Lady Tigers of Versailles struck in the bottom of the fourth. With two outs, Kami McEldowney hit a single, sending in Kristin Langston and Courtney McEldowney to take the 2-1 lead.

In the top of the sixth inning, Helmke, again, sent in Neal for a score and Molly Walters scored on a Taylor Thwaits RBI, giving Ansonia the 3-2 lead. Their rally came to a sudden halt when Langston made a leaping infield catch to end the inning.

In the top of the final inning, Ansonia scored two runs. A RBI double for Helmke led to another score from Neal—a hat trick for each—and Taylor Thwaits, who also had a double in the inning, scoring from a Walters single.

Losing 5-2, Versailles had one at bat to take the lead. Things looked to be going its way after Aimee Powell started the inning off with a ripping single. During the next at bat, Madison Young made an incredible catch and toss to first for a double play. The game ended on a glove-tipped catch by Helmke, giving Ansonia the 5-2 victory and proving who the most vicious Lady Tigers of Darke County were—at least, on this day.

Ansonia had 13 hits and Versailles had 11 hits.

For Ansonia, Thwaits had two doubles, a run scored and a RBI. Neal was 3-for-4 with three runs scored. Walters was 2-for-4 with a RBI and run scored. Helmke was 3-for-4 with a double and three RBIs.

For Versailles, Langston was 3-for-4 with a run scored. Kami McEldowney had two RBIs. Aimee Powell went 2-for-3 with a walk. Courtney McEldowney had a single and scored a run.

Ansonia pitcher Shelby Hartzell got the win, pitching a complete game with seven strikeouts, eight hits, two runs and three walks.

Versailles pitcher Lauren Heitkamp pitched the complete game with seven strikeouts, 13 hits, five runs and one walk.

Ansonia moved up to 19-6 and Versailles fell to 13-7.