Feather River Pulls Away Late, Hands San José City College Softball a 7-3 Loss

Here is the game story:

SAN JOSE — Feather River scored three times in the seventh inning to break open a tight game and defeat San José City College, 7-3, in the first game of a doubleheader Thursday at San José.

The Eagles led 4-3 heading into the final frame, then sent nine batters to the plate against Jaguar pitcher Makenna Sieling, walking in all three runs to seal the victory.

Feather River struck first in the opening inning when first baseman Lily Lee singled to drive in two, scoring center fielder McKynlee Gay and third baseman Faith Helmandollar.

San José answered quickly. Second baseman Belle Walker reached on a fielder's choice to score Jaelynn Corona and pull the Jaguars within one. Walker then stole second, and DJ Martinez came home on a throwing error by Feather River catcher Talynn Madrid to tie the game at 2-2.

The Jaguars seized their only lead in the fourth inning when Angelina Castro laced a run-scoring double to make it 3-2.

Feather River reclaimed control in the fifth. Gay doubled home Jordan Gainey to tie the game, then scored on a two-run single by Nina Taylor, giving the Eagles a 4-3 advantage that held until their seventh-inning burst.

Gay finished 2-for-5 with two RBI and a double. Taylor also drove in two runs for Feather River.

Brittney Byram went the distance for the Eagles, allowing three runs on four hits while striking out five.

Sieling took the loss for San José, scattering eight hits and seven runs — six earned — over seven innings. She was also hit three batters and threw a wild pitch, finishing at 0-1 on the season.

Castro had the offensive highlight for the Jaguars, going 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Corona went 2-for-3 with a stolen base.

San José dropped to 0-1 on the day with the second game of the doubleheader still to follow.