When the Fallon Elite scored five times in the top of the fifth inning to take a 5-2 lead, the Carson Valley Hot Shots weren't worried. After all, they play their best softball when they are tied or behind.
The Hot Shots followed that script again, scoring six times in the sixth inning en route to an 8-5 win in a 14B game at the National Softball Association Western World Series at Centennial Park on Thursday.
The Gardnerville-based team returns to action in the winner's bracket final today at 10 a.m. at Centennial Park. If the Hot Shots win, they will be in the 2 p.m. championship game.
"I wasn't worried at all," Carson Valley coach Tom Keck said after the win. "There's something about this team. They don't give up. I still believe we're the No. 1 team, and we are the team to beat. The team has been working so hard to get to this spot. Today they started to hit their peak."
The three-run deficit was the biggest the Hot Shots had faced in the tournament.
Jenna Geyer doubled, moved to third on an infield out and scored on Marlena Martin's single to right-center field. Chelsea Fent followed with a single and Kelly Sonnemann struck out. Illiana Brown followed with a roller between first and second, and the ensuing errant throw scored Martin and Fent, tying the game at 5.
Two walks, another throwing error and a single by Geyer led to three more runs and an 8-5 lead.
Kalee Duryee, who suffered through one bad inning, easily retired Fallon in the seventh to end the game.
Duryee went 3-for-3 at the plate and Geyer added two hits. Amanda Caras, Fent, Martin and Aaliyah Paxson added a hit apiece.
