After the Centurions scored seven runs in the top of the fifth inning, Saugus looked poised to win big over the Wildcats at West Ranch as they held a 7-1 going into the bottom of the seventh.
But after the Wildcats scored six runs in the bottom of the seventh, the softball matchup went into extra innings.
The Centurions ultimately defeated West Ranch, 11-8, after the Saugus lineup scored four runs in the top of the eighth that was highlighted by an Abby Harter two-run double.
“It was a fantastic game. You got two great lineups, two great hitting teams, and it showed today,” Saugus head coach Kyle Mark said. “But just proud of the girls for the way they fought. West Ranch played a heck of a game, and they should be proud of themselves too.”
After the game, Mark said that the Centurions’ (9-5, 4-0) offense couldn’t put anything together in the early innings but added that softball is a game of adjustments, and he’s glad to see the team break through with a seven-run inning in the fifth and four-run eighth inning.
“It’s just about making adjustments. I talked to the girls after the game. We just got to do a better job of making adjustments first time through the order,” he said. “We waited a little bit too long, but it paid off.”
The Centurions’ Amelia Johnson went 2-for-5 at the plate with three runs batted in.
The Wildcats (11-3, 3-1) were led by junior Naomi Stoll, who ended the day 2-for-4 with two runs batted in and a double.
The Wildcats dropped to 3-1 in league play and will look to bounce back on Thursday at home against the Valencia Vikings while the Centurions will look to keep up their momentum on the road against the Hawks at Hart High School.
Both games are set to begin at 3:30 p.m.
After Tuesday’s games, here are scores from around the Foothill League:
Valencia 8, Castaic 6: The Valencia Vikings (6-4, 2-1) won in Tuesday’s matchup against the Castaic Coyotes (5-4, 1-3) in come-from-behind fashion.
After the Coyotes took a 4-1 lead after the third inning, the Vikings rallied and scored seven runs combined in the fifth and sixth innings to take the win.
Vikings’ junior Sydner Bolder had the biggest day at the plate as she went 2-for-4 and drove in two runs.
Castaic freshman Charlotte Wheeler went 2-for-4 at the plate with two runs batted in and a double.
The Coyotes will look to bounce back on Tuesday at home against the visiting Hart Hawks while the Vikings will look to keep up the momentum on Thursday against the Wildcats at West Ranch High School.
Both games are set to begin at 3:15 p.m.
Hart 11, Golden Valley 1: The Hart Hawks (6-7, 2-1) picked up their second league win of the season over the Golden Valley Grizzlies (2-8, 0-3).
In the win for Hart, freshman Ellie Hodge threw for five innings, allowed three hits, one run and struck out two.
At the plate, Hawks’ Naima Melendez went 3-for-4 and drove in two runs along with a home run.
The Hawks will look to keep up the momentum on Thursday at home against the Saugus Centurions.
The Grizzlies will look to rebound Thursday at home against the Canyon Cowboys.
Both games are set to begin at 3:15 p.m.
