The Junction City Lady Jay softball team rallied from a 17-5 deficit in the fifth inning to defeat Emporia 21-20 at Cleary Field Friday night.

Junction City ( 1-3 ) trailed 20-15 going into their final at bat in the bottom of the seventh, but the Lady Jays produced six runs in that last at bat, culminating with one final hit when Emmaya Liaina hit a deep shot to center field, scoring Kylecia Taylor from second base.

Liaina said she had to bring Taylor home. “We had to win.”

It was a team effort with a number of hits and good plays in the field.  Kylecia Taylor said she knew she had to sprint to home plate. “Because I had to bring in a run and a win for our team. ”

For Jeremy Harmison it was his first win as Lady Jay head coach. It was special. “Yeah pretty much, especially like that. ” He noted to come from 12 behind in the fifth winning and get the win was exciting.

Emporia ( 1-1 ) won the first game of the doubleheader 13-4.

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Junction City won both of the junior varsity contests over Emporia.