MINFORD — Autumn Griffth's two-out single scored the go-ahead runs in the bottom of the sixth inning as Minford defeated Wheelersburg 7-6 on Tuesday in high school softball action.

The win keeps Minford in a tie for first place in the SOC II with Valley as it came off a big win over the Indians the night before.

"This was a big, big win for this team," Minford Coach Preston Messer said. "After beating Valley, I was worried, and thought the girls might be tired. But they came through tonight and played just as hard."

Wheelersburg trailed 7-5 heading into the top of the seventh, and scored a run off Griffith. However, with two outs, and Wheelersburg runners on second and third, Messer brought in Kesley Conkey to get the last out, and close the game for Minford.

Autumn Griffith had started the game for Minford and gave way to Conkey in the fourth inning. She returned in the sixth inning and went two-thirds into the seventh before Messer made the switch back to Conkey.

Conkey had pitched the night before, and Messer thought she might still be tired.

"Kelsey told me she was wore out in the fifth," Messer said. "So we brought back Autumn. Then I knew Kelsey had got the last girl batting out on two previous times, so I brought her back and it worked out."

The Pirates took the lead in the top of the second inning after Rachel Blair — making her first start of the season — cracked a 2-run home run.

Minford countered in the bottom of the third when Conkey smacked a grand slam.

"It felt good when it came off the bat," Conkey said.

The grand slam scored Kaci Griffith, Elizabeth Brisker, Autumn Griffith and Conkey. Earlier in the inning, Brittany Montavon scored on a base-loaded walk.

Wheelersburg immediately responded and scored two runs in the top of the fourth inning, highlighted by a Abby Sparks RBI single.

The Pirates tied the game in the fifth inning when Lorin Spradlin scored on an RBI single by Haley Barbarits.

That set the stage for Autumn Griffith's RBI single to score Montavon and Brisker.

"I was just trying to put the ball in play and help my team," Autumn Griffith said.

Wheelersburg — 0202101 — 6 9 1

Minford — 005002 x — 7 8 2

Wheelersburg — Jenkins 2-4, Spradlin 2-4, Blair 1-1 (HR).

Minford — Conkey 3-3 (HR).

WP — A. Griffith

LP — Sparks

SV— Conkey