The craziest softball finish you'll ever see happened Saturday. Here's what went down.

• A disputed play at first base in the ninth inning led to the game being extended.
• Maia Salvo hit a game-tying home run in the sixth inning, and Kyla Angell hit a walk-off three-run homer in the tenth.
• Ponaganset freshman pitcher Mattea Mello threw all ten innings, striking out 11 batters.

GLOCESTER – It was a game so nice the Ponaganset softball team had to win it twice.

In what can only be described as one of the most confusing endings you’ll ever see on a field started with a normal comeback – a game-tying two-run home run by Chieftains’ star Maia Salvo – before chaos broke out. With Ponaganset and Portsmouth still tied at five in the bottom of the ninth, Jill Baris walked with the bases loaded to bring home the Chieftans’ game-winning run that wasn’t.

One inning later, Ponaganset made it official when Kyla Angell smoked a ball over the center-field fence for a three-run home run, giving the Chieftains an 8-5 win over the Patriots in the wildest game you’ll ever see.

Everything started so normal.

Portsmouth made sure the bats made the long trip to Glocester, getting a home run from Lillyan Morgado to lead off the game as part of a three-run first. Barbara Rainey hit a solo shot in the third that made it 4-2 and after adding another run, the Patriots headed to the the bottom of the sixth up three runs.

Ponaganset’s rally started off the bat of Mattea Mello, its freshman pitcher, who hit a triple to lead off the inning. Two batters later, fellow freshman Haleigh Mooney’s groundout brought home a run to cut the deficit to two.

Baris followed with a single, bringing up Salvo – the best left-handed hitter in the state who already had a home run in the game. The count went to 3-0 and instead of issuing a free pass, Portsmouth elected to give her pitches to swing at. Salvo, not looking for a walk, missed two but didn’t miss a third time, smashing the ball over the right field fence to tie the game at 5.

That’s when the fun began.

Ponaganset nearly won the game in the eighth. Mooney worked a leadoff walk and moved to second on a bunt, bringing up Salvo.

Portsmouth coach Kelley Keyes wanted to walk Salvo, but instead of informing the umpire about an intentional walk, she told pitcher Mia Ruggieri to throw four balls. One got away, advancing Mooney to third. Salvo eventually earned her free base, but Ruggieri – who came on in relief of starter Mary Rainey – made sure no one scored, ending the inning with a strikeout and soft pop out back to the circle.

Things got crazier in the bottom of the ninth. A leadoff walk and two two-out walks loaded the bases for Baris, who worked the count and full and walked, bringing home Neila Matsinger with the apparent game-winning run.

After Matsinger stepped on home plate, Ponaganset celebrated and Baris turned around to join the fun. The teams lined up and shook hands, Portsmouth retreated to its dugout and Ponaganset circled third base to have its post-game talk.

As this was happening, a grandparent of one of the Portsmouth players walked onto the field and alerted Keyes and the coaching staff that Baris never touched first and should be called out. Keyes brought this to the attention of the umpires – who still hadn’t left the field of play – and as they were talking, Baris raced across the diamond to step on first base.

The umpires eventually ruled Baris had given herself up on the play and the game would continue.

Mello didn’t let the ruling affect her mindset going back out to the circle for the 10th. With a universal runner standing on second, the freshmen went through the meat of Portsmouth’s order unscathed with two fly balls in the infield and a groundout back to the circle.

Ponaganset started the 10^th with Baris on second base and this time, Keyes asked for the no-pitch intentional walk to Salvo, bringing Angell to the plate.

The senior shortstop – who spent Friday night at Ponaganset’s Senior Prom and said she had about four hours of sleep – swung at the first offering she saw and left little doubt about the result. The line drive flew over the center field fence for a three-run home run, with Angell emphatically stepping on home plate as she was surrounded by teammates waiting to celebrate the victory for the second time that afternoon.

Salvo, a First Team All Stater last year, had another huge game, going 2-for-3 with the two home runs, three RBI and three runs. Angell was 2-for-5 with three RBI and one run and Baris went 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs.

Mello finished the game 2-for-3 with a triple at the plate and threw all 10 innings, striking out 11 to earn the victory.

Barbara Rainey’s big season continued in defeat. The junior catcher went 3-for-5 with the home run, one RBI and three runs.