Alyson Nilan-Axline singled in the winning run with one out in the seventh inning to lead host Saratoga past Sacred Heart Cathedral, 5-4, in a non-league softball contest Saturday afternoon. The Falcons (15-4) scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh to knock off the Fightin' Irish (8-9).
Stephanie Hayes and Amanda Lee singled to open the bottom of the seventh. Hera Tang then reached on an error to load the bases. After a fielder's choice off the bat of Analisa Ruff brought in a run to tie the score at 4-4, Nilan-Axline drove a single to bring Lee home with the winning run.
Saratoga jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning on the strength of a two-run single by Amanda Lee and an RBI single by Ellen Lee. However, Sacred Heart Cathedral answered right back with four runs in the top of the second to take a 4-3 lead. Junior Julia Gallegos provided the big hit with a two-out, bases-clearing double to put the Irish ahead.
Tang (6-1) picked up the win with two strong innings of relief, including five strikeouts. Hayes went 2-for-4 with two runs for the Falcons, who host Lynbrook Wednesday in Santa Clara Valley Athletic League El Camino Division action. Junior Breanna Fuller went 2-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI for the Fightin' Irish, who visit Notre Dame-Belmont in WCAL action Tuesday afternoon.
