A nine-run first inning spearheaded by Severna Park sophomore Quinlyn Bary’s grand slam could’ve set a tone in stone for the Class 3A East Region I quarterfinal. An additional run in the second could’ve sped it along to a five-inning mercy rule.

But if South River ever felt defeated, it never showed it.

The screeches from the visiting dugout intensified from the third inning on as the Seahawks erased the Falcons’ once-hefty lead.

Bary wouldn’t let it bother her. She admittedly felt “scared” as she approached the plate in the bottom of the sixth, her team all of sudden behind, but she swallowed her fear.

The sophomore clubbed a double that kick started the rally in which the Falcons reclaiming their lead. Then the ace, who notched her 300th career strikeout on Thursday, settled back into the circle for the top of the seventh, shutting the door on the Seahawks in a 12-11 win, sending the Falcons to the regional semifinal at Northeast.

“That kid is ice cold,” Severna Park coach Bailey Benedick said. “She knows she’s been smashing the ball this game. She took charge as she always does.”

When Seahawks coach Tim Williams led the final post-game debrief, he made sure to remind his players how fiercely they fought.

Senior CJ Harris homered off Bary in the fourth inning to start the rally. Spoiling the shutout sparked South River. Errors, walks and hits led to five runs to bring the Seahawks within 10-6.

Three more runs in the fifth brought it to 10-9.

In the fifth, it would be 10-9 before Severna Park managed the first two outs.

Sophomore Cala Marano, on a 1-2 county, drove in two to give South River an 11-10 lead.

“The way we fought says a lot about us moving forward,” Williams said. “The seniors we’re losing are quality, but there’s not a lot, and they’ve set a great example to stay in games like this.”

Severna Park dug into fresh memories to steady itself. They battled county champion Northeast to extra innings. They dropped several one-run losses to quality teams. The young Falcons could respond. They knew the reason they weren’t hitting like they were in the first two innings was because they kept sending the ball to senior second baseman Kat Lippincott.

But Bary couldn’t steer the ship back on course without the help of her teammates.

Lucy Benner socked a line drive to left field, plating Bary to tie it up. Second baseman Jennifer Hong reached on an error that scored Benner for the go-ahead run.

“Everyone was just able to pull it together. We were all here for each together but also held each other accountable,” Bary said. “It was nice to have that, especially when we went back into the [field].”

The Falcons will need to steady themselves again for the next round, as the Eagles welcome them to Pasadena like a wolf welcomes what it hopes is its next meal.

Severna Park doesn’t want to be prey again. If Bary stays sharp and her defense reflects it, there’s only one area to adjust.

“We didn’t have it on offense last time,” Bary said. “But if we can score 12 runs this game, I think we’ll get some hits next game.”

Have a sports tip? Contact Katherine Fominykh at kfominykh@baltsun.com or DM @capgazsports on Instagram.