Briley Schmittling's two-run single helps Freeburg to walk-off win over Columbia

At first, the Freeburg High senior infielder didn't know her single in the bottom of the seventh inning Thursday was a walk-off game-winner.

"I thought it just tied the game," Schmittling said.

The reality quickly hit Schmittling like a runaway truck.

Teammates Olivia Joseph and Lindsey Muskopf, who had scored on the hit, ran out and aggressively tackled Schmittling in celebration.

"That's when I figured it out," Schmittling said.

Schmittling's one-out single propelled the Midgets to a 4-3 come-from-behind win over Columbia in a Cahokia Conference Mississippi Division softball contest in southern Freeburg.

The Midgets (23-3 overall, 8-1 conference) won their seventh in a row and put themselves in position to claim a fourth successive conference title. They must beat Wood River on May 9 to grab another Mississippi Division crown.

Schmittling helped her team to its ninth successive win over rival Columbia (16-9, 3-5). Her hit capped off a three-run rally in the final frame.

Columbia sophomore pitcher Emily Webb had stymied the high-octane Freeburg offense, allowing just one run on five hits over the first six frames.

But the Midgets woke up down the stretch as five of six baserunners reached during crunch time.

"It's hard when you lead the whole game and then fall apart at the end," Columbia coach Bri Weilbacher said. "(Freeburg) had some good at bats. They worked for what they earned."

Freeburg coach Becky Mueth said her team's experience in close contests this season played a factor down the stretch.

"We've been playing more tighter games this year," Mueth said. "Most of the time, we just stay in the game and never give up."

Joseph, who added an infield hit to the rally, scampered home from third with the tying run. Muskopf literally followed just a few feet behind.

As soon as the two crossed home plate, they made a beeline for Schmittling, who happily kept running toward right field.

"When I was on third, I just had a feeling (Schmittling) would come through for us," Joseph said. "I just knew it."

Joseph was right.

"It's always big to come back, but to do it against Columbia makes it even more special," Schmittling said.

Schmittling gathered her teammates in the dugout midway through the fifth inning to deliver a succinct message with her team down 3-1.

"I just told everybody I'm not losing to Columbia in my senior year," Schmittling said. "No way."

Freshman Aryana Blomenkamp got the fire started with a single. Two batters later, Joseph used her speed to reach on an infield hit that trimmed the deficit to 3-2. Muskopf then added a double to put runners on second and third.

Standout senior pitcher/slugger Samantha Roulanaitis was walked intentionally to load the bases.

Schmittling then picked an 0-1 pitch and sent a three-hopper between two infielders into the right field.

Then it was party time.

"It just feels good to win a game like this," Joseph said.

Freeburg, which improved to 113-12 over the last three-plus seasons, is gearing up for another Class 3A post-season run after finishing second in the state two years ago.

The relatively young squad is beginning to come together at the perfect time.

Senior Catie Beaston added two hits to the winning attack.

Roulanaitis, who improved to 16-1, struck out 13 but allowed 11 hits and two earned runs. The Lindenwood University signee entered the game with an 0.71 ERA and has been averaging just over 14 strikeouts per game.

Columbia was in command behind Webb for most of the contest.

Senior slugger Jaylyn Brister hit a solo homer in the fifth to push the lead to 3-1. Brister went 4-for-4.

The Eagles, a Class 2A team, are also gearing up for a playoff run.

Weilbacher believes her team can learn from the painful setback.

"We did a lot of things well today," said Weilbacher, a former standout at Iowa State University. "Our energy was good, our pitching was good. I'm very proud of the team that showed up today."