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By TYLER RALEY | Staff Writer

HOOVER – Searching for a way to get positive momentum back after a loss, the Chelsea Hornets fought back from a deficit to defeat the Hoover Buccaneers and add another win to their resume.

Chelsea went on the road to defeat Hoover 7-5 on Tuesday, Feb. 25, fighting back from four runs down to steal a game against a formidable opponent in Class 7A.

The Hornets entered this game following a close 3-2 defeat to the Thompson Warriors, wanting to turn the close loss they had around into a victory that they would remember.

Things did not look good in the early stages of this game for Chelsea however. Following a five-pitch walk with two outs in the bottom of the first, The Buccaneers recorded a double that brought the runner on first all the way around to score, putting them up 1-0.

The energy Hoover gained from that run continued well into the second inning, as with runners on second and third base with two outs, Haley Westhoven launched a three-run home run to center field, putting her squad up 4-0 just like that in the early going.

The Hornets started to get into a little bit of a rhythm following that frame however. Three consecutive singles from Katie Hopson, Alaysha Crews and Lorelei Beck loaded the bases in the top of the third. That gave Hopson the opportunity to score on a passed ball a couple of batters later, which she capitalized and cut the score to 4-1.

The Buccaneers did not let that last for long though, as with runners on the corners and one out in the bottom of the third inning, they drove in another run off of a sacrifice bunt that put them with a 5-1 advantage.

Despite the continued fight from Hoover, Chelsea used the rhythm from its previous plate appearance to claw back in the top of the fourth. Sadie Wilson and Olivia Palfreeman each got hit by a pitch, and after Aubrey Ross drew a walk, the bases were suddenly loaded.

Hopson took this opportunity to drive in a run with a single into left field, cutting things to 5-2. Crews followed the RBI up with one of her own, as she grounded out to second base but scored another run in the process, putting the score within reach at 5-3.

Then, with runners on second and third base, Beck singled on a pop fly into center field and cleared the bases to suddenly tie the game at 5-5, completing the comeback for the Hornets and creating a brand new game.

Things were not done for Chelsea though. As the top of the fifth came around, the Hornets were looking to win the game outright. Wilson led the inning off with a walk before Madeline Kelley legged out an infield single. Then, after Palfreeman got hit by a pitch once again to load the bases, Ross drew a walk to break the tie and give Chelsea the lead.

With the pressure continuing to mount onto Hoover, the Hornets kept taking advantage. On the first pitch of the ensuing batter, Julia Willingham scored on a passed ball to extend the lead to two at 7-5 and put all of the momentum on Chelsea’s side.

From that point on, the Hornets controlled the game and escaped Hoover with the 7-5 victory and a marquee win over a powerful opponent.

Crews earned the win in relief for Chelsea, giving up one run on two hits, striking out two and walking two in five innings of work after replacing Beck.

The win improves the Hornets to 4-1 on the year and sets them up for a date with the Pell City Panthers back at home at Chelsea High School on Thursday, Feb. 27 at 4:30 p.m.