A gritty and determined effort by the Riverbank High varsity softball team turned a near-disaster in the first week of conference play to pure elation. The girls rallied from a late deficit to push Escalon into extra innings, then scored twice in the bottom of the eighth to land a stunning defeat of the visiting Cougars. The win locked a vital Trans-Valley League victory in the opener amidst a gauntlet of league opposition. The team earns Athlete of the Week recognition from The News for the thrilling come-from-behind win.