Thorsby’s lone senior Anna Hilyer drove in the winning run, as the Rebels softball team won with a 6-5 walk-off victory at home over Maplesville on Jan. 24.

The Rebels are a team comprised of several young players, but it was the senior that had the last say during the season opener for Thorsby.

“It couldn’t have happened to a better person,” Thorsby head coach Leighsa Robinson said.

Thorsby trailed 5-3 heading into the final inning. Kayla Cleckler reached base on an error to open the inning and advanced her way around the base paths, before crossing the plate after an errant throw.

“Speed creates havoc on the bases, and we’ve got some decent speed,” Robinson said.

Charlet Childress stroked a single up the middle and was followed by Hannah Smith and Karlee Kincaid reaching safely to load the bases and set the stage for Hilyer.

Shortly after, a game-winning two-run double by Hilyer brought home Childress and Smith and completed the Thorsby comeback in dramatic fashion.

“It was pretty nerve racking to know that it’s all in your hands,” Hilyer said. “I just tried to think about me and the pitcher, as if there was no count and nobody was on base.”

Maplesville started fast with early success against Thorsby starting pitcher Adi Niamon.

After a run in the first inning, the Red Devils struck gold with a big third inning that included four runs and extended the lead 5-0.

However, Niamon settled down after the third inning and the Rebels methodically chipped away at Maplesville’s lead with two runs in the third and one run in the fourth.

According to Niamon, the team had been practicing really hard, and the win is a confidence builder heading into this year’s schedule.

“They fought and that’s the character of a good team,” Robinson said. “They were hitting the ball the whole time, it was just a matter of it falling.”