Folsom Lake Splits Doubleheader with Santa Rosa, Drops Game Two in Extras

The Folsom Lake College softball team showed grit and growth in a doubleheader split against Santa Rosa Junior College on Saturday, earning a convincing 8-3 win in Game 1 before falling just short, 5-4, in an eight-inning heartbreaker in the nightcap.

The Falcons came out swinging in the opener, backing a dominant complete game from pitcher Marianna Prieto, who allowed just five hits and no earned runs over seven innings. Folsom Lake's offense erupted for 11 hits, highlighted by multi-hit efforts from Melia Ritchie (3-for-4, RBI), Grace Diaz (2-for-3, RBI), and Prieto herself, who drove in two runs.

The Falcons did their damage in the middle innings, scoring two in the third, two more in the fourth, and a four-run burst in the fifth to put the game out of reach. Kamora Baptiste contributed a triple and a sacrifice fly, while Annika Scheafer, Sophia Nielsen, and Mia Griffith each added RBIs to the team total.

"It was a complete team effort," said Falcons head coach Amber Grahlman. "Our energy was high, we made good contact, and Marianna really controlled the game."

Game 2 saw more fight from the home squad, as Folsom Lake erased a 3-0 deficit and forced extra innings behind another strong outing from Prieto and five relief innings from Ritchie. Annika Scheafer and Diaz continued their hot hitting, combining for five of the team's nine hits. Diaz also swiped two bags and scored twice, showcasing her all-around play.

The Falcons tied it 4-4 in the bottom of the seventh on a clutch RBI single by Prieto, but Santa Rosa answered in the eighth with a go-ahead RBI from Sofia Uricoechea. Folsom Lake had runners but couldn't mount one last rally.

Despite the tough loss, the doubleheader marked one of the Falcons' most complete showings of the season.