After riding a four game win streak into the postseason, the Los Altos High School varsity softball team once again showed why they’re defending CCS champions with a 6–3 comeback win over Los Gatos High School.

Down two runs in the top of the seventh, the team needed to wake up from a three-inning drought on offense. In a dominant performance at the plate — including five runs, six hits and five RBIs — the Eagles more than responded and proved that winning it all for the second straight year is a very real possibility.

The Wildcats started hot, opening the game by taking a 1–0 and pitching a no-hitter through the second. Junior Sophia Asar got the Eagles started with a run in the third to tie the score.

Despite pulling even, the team’s bats went cold through the sixth inning. The Wildcats took control again and ran up the score 3–1, scoring in the fourth and sixth.

With little success on offense, the Eagles defense stepped up to keep them in the game. Sophia pitched for just two earned runs, and the team limited errors from the field to two. Even though the Wildcats managed 10 hits in six innings, the Eagles went into the seventh down by just two — setting the stage for the team to pull out a victory.

“We went in with the [mentality that] we had nothing to lose,” senior Kaitlyn Smiley said.

Senior Kelly Zoglin opened the inning with a single and later advanced to second following a sacrifice bunt. Senior Lauren Han brought the deficit down to a run after her second hit of the game, followed by a single from Maggie to put runners on first and third.

The Eagles’ dugout erupted when sophomore Zoe Aguilar doubled deep into center field, putting the team in control by a score of 4–3. The team got more insurance after senior Sarah Zoglin and freshman Isabella Sanchez scored for a comfortable three-run advantage.

Sophia ultimately put the game away with three efficient outs — one from a diving tag to first by Lauren — to seal the comeback for the Eagles.

“I thought we did amazing. We weren’t really hitting that well in the beginning, but once we did, that was it,” Smiley said

“We just gave it our all,” Sarah said.

Last year’s championship run moved the team up to Division II of CCS, where they’ll face stiffer competition as the postseason progresses. Kaitlyn said that the team will have to bring their “A-game” to reach the finals.

Still, Eagles’ experience at this level is invaluable. Much of the roster is composed of seniors from last season that have played key roles this year.

“We’re gonna win,” Kaitlyn said on the team’s outlook.

The Eagles now advance to the semifinal round where they’ll face Salinas High School on Wednesday, May 24 at Saratoga High School.