NICHOLE JOHNSON WAS THE WINNING PITCHER IN THE LADY GRIZZLIES WIN OVER LE GRAND LAST WEEK, 6-1. GAZETTE PHOTO BY DAN TUCKER At Le Grand last Wednesday, Mariposa’s varisty softball squad found itself trailing the host Bulldogs, 1-0, going into the seventh inning.

That was apparently all the motivation they needed as Mariposa exploded for 6 runs in the top of the seventh frame to claim a 6-1 Southern Athletic League victory.

The Lady Grizzlies rolled up 6 runs on 5 hits including a single, two doubles, and a pair of triples.

Riyn Williams led off with a walk and was replaced by pinch runner B.J. Beals. Dylan Marchetti stepped to the plate for winning pitcher Nichole Johnson and ripped a double to put runners on first and third.

Carissa Leonard crushed the ball down the third base line for a triple and a pair of RBI, and Beals and Marchetti crossed the plate with the tying and go-ahead runs.

Brooke Earling reached safely on a fielder’s choice before Morgan Foley, who returned to the lineup after missing weeks with an injury, slapped a single to score Leonard and move Mariposa’s margin to 3-1.

Jamie Lavios stepped to the plate and hammered a double to score Leonard and Foley for a 5-1 lead, but the Lady Grizzlies weren’t finished.

Junior catcher Haley Guenthart followed with a towering triple over the rightfielder’s head to score Lavios and push the score to 6-1.

“We finally started hitting the ball like we’re capable of,” said head coach Mike Brocchini. “It was nice to wake up like that.”

The win boosted Mariposa’s SAL record to 4-2 on the season and 6-6 overall.

The junior varisty team also whipped Le Grand, 17-7, in a 5- inning thumping. Brittany Binnewies was the winning pitcher.

The varsity and junior varsity Lady Grizzlies travel to Tracy on Friday to compete in the Nor-Cal Classic tournament. The varsity will face Seaside in its first contest.

Mariposa will return to league action next Wednesday when it hosts Delhi before traveling to Denair on Friday.