Folsom scores twice in seventh to beat Granite Bay

Folsom High's varsity softball team continued their streak of playing good softball, as the Bulldogs won Friday for the third time in their last four games, beating Granite Bay, 4-2. With the game tied at two entering the seventh inning, the Bulldogs scored two runs in the top of the seventh inning to win it, as they improved their record in the Sierra Foothill League to 3-8 and their overall mark to 7-13. The Grizzlies fell to 2-8 in the SFL and 5-12 overall. "I'm absolutely proud of the team, and they didn't give up," Folsom High coach Sheena Jackson said. "We've had trouble getting the bunt down and we were able to execute that twice in the last inning and I think that was the difference in the game. We did the little things and that's what put us ahead. We got a big hit by Faith, executed a couple of bunts and won the game." On the day when Granite Bay recognized its seniors, the Grizzlies took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning when Cam Lincoln led off with a single on the game's first pitch, moved to second on Payton Castaneda's sacrifice bunt and then came in and scored on Leilani Terrazas' hard-hit double. Folsom starting pitcher Brooklyn Jackson allowed one more baserunner on a base on balls, but got out of the inning with a pair of groundouts. Folsom scored twice in the top of the second to take the lead. Jackson led off with a double and was replaced on second base by Camdyn Sacay. After the first out, Peyton Ollinger doubled to tie the game. Two batters later, Xavia Hodgins was safe at first on an error by Granite Bay third baseman Eliana Snobar that allowed Ollinger to score and put Folsom in front. Errors proved to be the Grizzlies downfall, as they committed four which led to three unearned runs. The Grizzlies tied the game in the third inning when Casteaneda reached on an error, moved to third on Terrazas' second double of the game and later scored on a groundout by Reese Clark. The score remained tied at two until the top of the seventh inning. Faith Best ripped a leadoff double before Hodgins got a bunt down to third baseman Tegan Smith, who threw the ball wide of first base allowing Best to score. Tori Iredell then bunted Hodgins to third before Mariah Wilson ripped a ball off Smith's glove at third for another Bulldog run. Jackson threw the first five innings for the Bulldogs before Raygan Mercado came in to throw the last two innings. Both pitchers threw well. "Pitching has been our strength this year," Jackson said. "They've been very consistent. They've been great together whether one starts or the other one starts. Whatever they need to do they do it. "I told the girls before spring break it's a whole other season when we come back and that we can set the tone. I think they really took that seriously and they've really turned it on when it matters. It's not how you start; it's how you finish."