The longest game in the history of the Plymouth softball program ended up as one of the most joyful as well.

On Wednesday, the Wildcats nipped host Walled Lake Central, 2-1, in a 14-inning marathon. The previous Plymouth record for longest game was 11 innings, set last season against Livonia Stevenson.

The victory improved Plymouth's record to 11-6. Senior right-hander Megan Patterson threw all 14 innings, yielding just five hits.

"Megan got stronger and stronger as the game went on," said Plymouth coach Val Canfield. "She was unstoppable. She had great movement and her experience was really a factor late in the game."

The Wildcats' game-winning rally started with the bases empty and two outs when Amy Bondy reached first on a drag bunt and Stacey Klonowski was safe on an error. Amanda Burnard then ripped a long single to the fence that plated Bondy.

Gina Giordano, Burnard and Beth Heldmeyer all had two hits for the 'Cats, who totaled 10 altogether.

"Gina got our first hit - a double in the second inning Ð that was huge because it showed we could hit their pitcher, Christy Hardy. Hardy is probably the best pitcher we've faced this year."

Central scored its only run in the opening frame. Plymouth knotted the contest at 1-all in the sixth when Heldmeyer singled and scored on Jill Brennan's line-drive triple down the right-field line.

The key defensive play for the winners unfolded in the 12th when with the potential winning run on second base, Plymouth third baseman Burnard dove to her left to deflect a line drive headed for left field. Klonowski, playing shortstop, grabbed the deflected ball and fired it to first to get the batter and end the inning.