LIVERMORE FALLS – It took Alexii Smith six pitches and one bunt to change the entire complexion of Saturday’s softball game.

The junior pitcher came on in relief in the third inning. She not only helped Jay escape a crucial jam, but also helped kick-start a five-run fourth inning that enabled the Tigers to break open the lead in a 9-3 victory over Livermore Falls.

“I was feeling like if I don’t do good I’m going to let them down even more,” said Smith. “So I came in firing hard.”

Smith had pitched Jay to a win over Mt. Abram on Thursday. Saturday was to be her day off, but when starter Daydra Loon struggled early and the Andies built an early lead, Jay’s lackluster start needed something to change the course of play.

“We were sloppy,” said Jay coach Robin Roberts, whose team was plagued by poor base running early and a bit of complacency. “We didn’t play good ball right off the bat. Daydra wasn’t on today. So we had to go with Alexii.”

It wasn’t the easiest of situations for any pitcher to step into. The Andies (0-2) had the bases loaded with just one out. The game was tied in the bottom of the third.

“I did it a couple times last year,” said Smith, of entering the game in relief. “So I figured I could do it again. It was nerve-wracking. I didn’t want to come in and have them score on me.”

It took Smith just six pitches to end the threat. She struck out Marisa Welch on three and then got the second out with three straight strikes to Kaitlyn Townsend. Smith struck out the first four batters she faced and finished the game allowing just four hits and one run over the final four-plus innings.

“The pitcher’s mound is my home,” said Smith of her calm demeanor entering a tough situation. “I just chilled. It’s nothing else but me throwing to (catcher) Liz (LeBlanc), and my defense is pretty amazing.”

If that didn’t light a spark for the Tigers, Smith made sure her play at the top of the fourth did. After Beth Moore walked, Smith dropped a bunt. The ball was thrown away, allowing Moore to score the go-ahead run. Smith wound up on third and the Tigers (2-0) could sense a big inning.

“It made me feel good, and it made my team feel better because they just kept going,” said Smith. “It definitely helped a lot. When we’re cheering, it makes everyone hyped up. You just want to go and that’s what they did.”

Smith scored on a wild pitch to make it 4-2. After Devana Flag and Emily Boivin were both hit by pitches and moved over by Brittany DiPompo. Flag scored on a Betsy Gemelli grounder to short and Boivin scored on a Netta Shank single for a 7-2 lead.

“I didn’t want to keep Livermore in the game,” said Roberts of his switch of pitchers in the third. “You can’t let a team stay close like that. Lexii has been throwing well. She throws a lot of strikes. She’s only had a couple of walks.

Jay made it 8-2 in the fifth when Boivin doubled in Smith. The Andies got one back in the bottom of the inning on a Kathryn Ventrella single. In the sixth, Jay got another run when LeBlanc scored on an error of an Ashley Quirrion fly ball.

The Andies got three hits from Chelsie Morris and two hits from Kathrynn Lake. Townsend scattered nine hits and kept her team close most of the game.

“When we come down here to Livermore, they always play us good, no matter what kind of team they have,” said Roberts. “They could have an 0-14 team, and they play us tough every time. I don’t want to take anything away from them because they played good ball.”

Jay got the first run of the game when Boivin walked and eventually scored on a wild pitch. The Andies got two in the bottom of the inning when Jenny Freeman singled home Brittany Souther, and Jayde Purington scored on a Ventrella sacrifice fly.

Jay tied the game in the top of the third when Shank singled in Gemelli, but the Andies threatened to retake the lead when a hit batter, single and walk loaded the bases with one out.