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Lady Bruins Jump Back Into Postseason Hunt
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With the remainder of their 2008 season resting in the balance, the Riverbank High Lady Bruins softball team responded with a huge 5-4 upset victory over the previously unbeaten Hughson Huskies at Riverbank High on Wednesday, April 9.

Riverbank outplayed a tough Hughson squad, scoring three runs in the game's final frame to pull out the much-needed Trans-Valley League victory. The Lady Bruins were able to get to Hughson ace Aly Hoffman early and late. Riverbank opened up play with a run in the first inning, holding the 1-0 advantage for the first three innings of play.

Hughson, the TVL's top team at the five-game mark, would not go quietly, pushing across consecutive runs in the fourth and fifth innings for their first lead in the contest.

Riverbank came into the contest believing they could play with the talented Huskies and falling behind by a run late forced the squad into a sense of urgency. Starting pitcher Carlye Avey had done all she could do. The freshman hurler kept the Hughson hitters off balance with her array of pitches. Riverbank was able to tie it so the teams needed more than the regulation seven innings to decide the game.

Avey has adjusted remarkably to the demand of the varsity level. With time limits able to rescue young pitchers in close extra-inning ball games, Avey has not had such luck at the high school level, and the pitcher doesn't seem to need it.

Ariel White joined Avey as the Riverbank battery for the entire contest, exchanging punches with the Huskies for 10 innings before a 3-run tenth inning gave the Lady Bruins the 5-4 victory.

Cali Avey held the hot bat for the Lady Bruins going 2-for-4 in the win, including a home run and a double. Riverbank responded with an offensive breakout of sorts, racking up eight hits with seven players collecting hits.