A 12-strikeout performance by Lindsay Kelly. A couple of convenient Indian River errors. Even a bit of trickery.

All this and more worked for Lakeland in a 9-3 win over the visiting Lady Braves on Tuesday.

Down 1-0 in the second, Erica Rimasse singled to right field. She scored when Kelly reached on an error, and Claudia Graham knocked home Kelly with an infield single.

River tied the score in the third, but Smither beat out a bunt, went to second on a wild pitch, and scored when Katie DeVenuto reached on an error. Ashley McCord also reached on an error, allowing DeVenuto to come in.

Rimasse and Kelly loaded the bases, sending Graham to the plate. Four pitches in, she swung and missed at the third. Perhaps thinking the catcher had dropped the ball, she started running toward first. The catcher threw the ball back to the River pitcher, who started walking back toward the mound.

But what no one noticed was that, as soon as Graham charged toward first, McCord had started a slow jog toward the plate, as if she’d just received a walk. As she got within a few steps of the plate, no one seemed to realize anything. Not until she’d touched the plate and extended the lead to 5-2 did anyone see that she’d just completed one of the slowest steals of home in softball history.

When asked about the play, McCord shrugged, grinned and said, &uot;I’m just glad we won.&uot;

After the Lady Braves scored what would be their final run in the fourth, Smither again beat out a bunt, went to second on a wild pitch, and stole third. DeVenuto walked and stole second. McCord walked, and Smither came in on a wild pitch. DeVenuto scored when Rimasse reached on an error, and McCord scored when Kelly grounded out. DeVenuto doubled home Smither in the sixth for the final run.

In baseball, River won 11-0. Great Bridge swept Nansemond River.

jason.norman@suffolknewsherald.com