Panthers erupt late, shock Grizzlies
Granite Hills softball has been a part of some emotionally draining games this season, including a dramatic split with Monache.
And now this.
After holding a 6-2 lead going into the top of the seventh against Porterville on Wednesday, the floodgates opened and the Panthers reeled off seven runs in the final inning to win, 9-8.
“The Panthers woke up,” Porterville coach Lance Wallace said. “It was a very exciting game. The fans were back and forth on it and it was a big win for us.”
Marilyn Palafox scored Quin Johnson to get the ball rolling at the top of the seventh inning. Alisha Vera, Rochelle Lupio, Sabreena Vallin, Alisia Scudder and Samantha Dale each had consecutive RBI hits to pull ahead, 9-6.
The Grizzlies would respond with two more runs in the bottom of the seventh but barely fell short with a tying runner on third base.
Alisha Vera pitched a complete game for the win and Danelle Dohrman knocked a two-run homer in the second to temporarily tie the game before Granite scored four unanswered runs.
The Panthers (3-8) moved within one win of the Grizzlies (4-8) in league play. Porterville can tie for fifth place in EYL should they beat Monache in the season finale on Friday.
