The Powerhouse completed its perfect run in the Bennett’s Creek Women’s Softball League Monday night at Driver Elementary School (DES), ending its season with a perfect 18-0 record. The team scored five runs with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning to defeat the Teamsters 11-7.

The Lady Truckers, who had already secured second place in the league, struck first in the first inning, when Christine Parrish batted in Delores Pope. But the Lady Powers came back in the second with a five-run onslaught.

Sue Fleming got things started with a single to centerfield. Ruth Thousand flew out to right, but Tisha Ricks and Shelley Prescott singled to load the bases. Krissy Branchaud reached on an error, allowing Fleming to score. Singles by Hutch Hutchinson and Tara McClenney brought in two more runs, and a ground rule double by Kathleen Hotte ended the inning with the Powerhouse up, 5-1.

But not for long. Patty Whit-ley singled for the Teamsters in the second, and Jennifer Kay reached on an error. Angela Woldmoe powered a homer over the left-centerfield fence, and the Teamsters were back to within a run.

A single by Ricks scored Renee McNeil in the third, but the Teamsters tied the score in the fourth when Cheryl Gippe slammed her own round-tripper over the left field fence.

After a scoreless fifth, Bran-chaud and Hutchinson made outs to open the sixth. But McClenney reached on an error, and moved to second in the confusion.

&uot;I wasn’t trying to hit it out; I’m not that type of ballplayer,&uot; said McClenney. &uot;I just wanted to get on and leave things up to the two behind me.&uot;

They came through. Kristy Cortnett and Hotte doubled down the left field line, driving in two runs. Angie Dunavant singled to left to bring Hotte in, and singles by McNeil and Fleming loaded the bases.

&uot;I was relaxed, and I think that’s why I got a good hit,&uot; said Hotte. &uot;Nine times out of 10, I’d have popped that one up. Everybody just came together like we needed to in the end tonight.&uot;

Thousand walked to force in Dunavant, and Ricks singled to centerfield, scoring McNeil. Fleming was picked off of third, but the damage had been done, and the Powerhouse had an 11-6 lead. Whitley hit her team’s third homer of the game in the sixth, a solo shot to centerfield, but the Teamsters couldn’t churn out any more runs.

&uot;This was a helluva season,&uot; coach John Thousand told his players. &uot;I’m very proud of this team.&uot;

According to McClenney, the Powerhouse had never been uneasy, even during the close moments of the game. &uot;I don’t think we were nervous,&uot; she said, &uot;just not as ‘up’ as usual. The heat definitely bothered us.&uot;

The Powerhouse will now attempt to continue its winning ways in the season-ending tournament, which begins Saturday morning at DES. &uot;I think we’ll sweep the tournament!&uot; Hotte said with a smile.

If the Mulchers have anything to say about it, however, the Powerhouse’s good fortune will come to a screeching halt. They scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to defeat the Stingers 13-12 on Monday.

Crystal Baucant singled to start the inning, and Alex Butler (who hit two home runs early on) followed with one of her own. Erin Shannon singled home Baucant, and Wendy Redmon drove in Butler, leaving things up to Katie Skylar.

Skylar smashed a long double into left-centerfield, bringing Redmond around for the winning run. &uot;You can never tell about the tournament, because it’s anyone’s game,&uot; said Skylar. &uot;But a game like this gives us big confidence for it.&uot;