Phoenix rallies with six unanswered runs to stun Eagle Point

Pirates improve to 3-1 behind shutdown relief effort from Christlieb over final four frames against Eagles

Phoenix scored at least one run in each of the final four innings to rally for an 8-5 nonconference softball victory over Eagle Point Tuesday afternoon at Lithia & Driveway Fields.

After the Eagles built a 5-2 lead through three innings, the visiting Pirates slowly chipped away with six unanswered runs.

An RBI double by Rylei Rivero drove home Keelie Woodside in the fifth inning, and Destiny Christlieb scored the tying run one batter later on a groundout by Rylie Johnson to create momentum for the final push by Phoenix (3-1).

Two walks and a hit batter opened the door for the go-ahead run to be scored by Alivia Kruse on a flyout to left field by Woodside in the sixth inning.

In the seventh, the Pirates got run off an error and the final tally on a sacrifice fly by Carsyn Sousa.

Eagle Point (2-5) previously built its advantage behind run-scoring efforts from Brylee Leonardo and Sarah Estes in the second inning, and a three-run outburst in the third inning that was highlighted by an RBI double from Allison Martin.

Christlieb picked up the pitching victory in a relief effort of Woodside, allowing only two hits with eight strikeouts and three walks in four scoreless innings inside the circle.

Rivero paced the Pirates by going 4-for-4 with two runs and one RBI, while Johnson was 1-for-3 with two runs and two RBIs.

Martin went 2-for-3 with two runs and one RBI for the Eagles, with Estes and Emalee Logan also supplying two hits. Leonardo had two RBIs, and Riley Jacoby scored twice.

Reach sports editor Kris Henry at kris.henry@rv-times.com or 458-488-2035