A four-run rally in the bottom of the seventh helped the Demons finish with an unlikely tie against the Panthers on Tuesday.
The Durango High School softball team (7-4-1, 0-2 5A/4A Southwestern League) roared back to tie the game at 13-13 at home against Montezuma-Cortez (2-8-1, 0-4 3A District 5).
The game was called early because of darkness. The recently renovated field at DHS does not have lights.
The dugout showdown was as exciting as the action on the field, with Chelsea Rodriguez coaching the Panthers and Melissa Fundora leading the Demons. The two were teammates on the Fort Lewis College softball team just three years ago.
Cortez took an early 1-0 lead, but DHS tied it in the bottom of the second. The Panthers exploded for three runs in the third and five in the fourth to take a commanding 9-3 lead going to the fifth. DHS scored three runs in the fifth and three in the sixth before the four-run seventh tied the game.
Alyssa Cornett had five runs batted in for the Panthers on 2-of-5 hitting with a double. She also scored once. Payton Keith drove in two runs and was 3-for-4 at the plate with a home run and two runs. Morgan Short had two doubles during a 3-for-5 day at the plate. She scored three times.
Dannika Noyes pitched four innings for the Panthers and allowed eight hits and two earned runs. She walked two and struck out one. Presely Frost pitched two innings an allowed eight hits, four earned runs and two walks while striking out one.