WEST LIBERTY — The West Burlington-Notre Dame high school softball team started the season in thrilling fashion on Wednesday.
The Falcons erupted for seven runs in the top of the seventh inning to stun Class 3A’s ninth-ranked West Liberty, coming away with a 12-11 win on the Comets’ home field.
Senior Maddy Knapp slugged a home run and senior Lyndsey Kelley slapped a three-run double to highlight the late uprising for the Falcons.
WB-ND pounded out 17 hits. Kelley, Orayana Gonzalez and Tannisy Christofferson each had three hits, while Madelyn Thomas, Knapp and Lacie Felkins each had two hits.
Kelley also had a triple, while Christofferson had a double.
Knapp knocked in five runs, while Kelley had three RBIs, Christofferson had two and Paige Kramer and Thomas each had one.
Gonzalez, Kelley and Laney Glendening each scored two runs, while Kramer, Tomas, Knapp, Felkins, Whitey Snowden and Chloee Anderson each scored one run.
Gonzalez picked up the win in relief of Thomas.
WB-ND (1-0), after hosting New London/Winfield-Mount Union on Thursday, travels to play Van Buren County on Friday, then plays Mount Pleasant and Columbus Saturday in the Louisa-Muscatine Tournament.