The Alma Softball team, ranked #23 in the country, began play Friday, in the star-studded National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Leadoff Classic in Panama City Beach, FL and dropped a tough 6-5 extra-inning decision to perennial power Wisconsin-Eau Claire. The loss dropped the Scots to 8-3 on the season with a game against #3 East Texas Baptist University scheduled for Friday evening.  

With eight of the Top 25 teams in the nation competing in the tournament, the Scots began their round-robin competition with a thrilling game which saw Alma take a one-run lead in the top of the eighth inning, only to see Eau-Claire come up with two in the bottom of the frame to claim the victory.  

Wisconsin-Eau Claire took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning, but the Scots cut the deficit to 2-1, when Sr. OF Kelsey Rightenburg (Lexington, MI/Croswell-Lexington) singled and was driven home on a double by So. C Emily Ross (Buchanan, MI/Buchanan).  

Eau-Claire responded with two runs in the bottom of the fourth and took a 4-1 advantage in the game. Alma again made it a one-run game as they scored two runs in the top of sixth inning. Rightenburg singled and Ross walked to start the inning.  Sr. OF Sarah Johnson (Portland, MI/Portland) singled to load the bases.  

A sacrifice fly by Sr. SS Houston Verbeck (Burton, MI/Flint Kearsley) and a single by So. DP Becca DeWyse (Bay City, MI/Bay City All Saints) cut the lead to 4-3.

The Scots tied the game at 4-4, when Fr. IF Amanda Schneider (New Baltimore, MI/New Baltimore) began the top of the seventh with a single. After two groundouts advanced her to third base, a single by Ross evened the contest.  

The teams went into extra innings, and the Scots struck first with a run in the top of the frame. Rightenburg was placed on second and advanced to third on a sacrifice by Verbeck. Alma took a 5-4 advantage when Sr. 2B Kasey Miller (Grand Ledge, MI/Grand Ledge) flew out to center field for a sac fly and an RBI.

However, in heartbreaking fashion, the Scots ended up losing the game in the bottom of the eighth inning. With one out, the placed player for Eau Claire, Ainsley Klar, scored on a single by Sara Baumgartner to tie the game at 5-5. They then went on to win the game on a single by Nikki Bromelkamp which scored Baumgartner, who advanced on a throw to home.  

Jr. P Tara Leddy (Saginaw, MI/Swan Valley) pitched the entire game for the Scots and gave up six hits in 7.2 innings pitched. She notched six strikeouts and three walks in the loss. Rightenburg finished the game going three for four from the plate, while Ross was good on 2 of 3 at bats with two RBI's.

The tournament continues through Sunday afternoon.