Varsity softball keeps relying on the big inning, and it got two more this week to improve to 12-6-1 overall, and 5-1 in the De Anza Division.

After falling behind 2-0 in the top of the first Tuesday against visiting Wilcox, the Cats scored one in the bottom half of the inning and then put up a six spot in the second to open up a 7-2 lead on the way to a 13-2, five-inning final.

Senior Addie Sorto drove in four runs with a two-run double in the second and a two-run single in the third. Ava Norquist had two hits, scored twice and had two RBI. Olivia Sickels and Tessa Lilienstein also collected two hits each. Sophia Krish had a hit and scored three times.

Danica DeSantis pitched all five innings, allowing just the two runs in the first inning while scattering three hits and striking out three.

Thursday, Los Gatos again gave up a first-inning run at Homestead to fall behind, but the Cats exploded with five runs in the top of the second and held on for a 5-1 victory over the Mustangs.

Senior Lily Young opened the inning by getting hit by the first pitch. Sophomore Keira Kelly followed with a sharp single to left to put runners on first and second. Robyn Young then walked to load the bases with no outs.

Lily Young scored on a passed ball, and Kelly and Robyn Young scored on Ria Sharma's single up the middle. Sharma moved to second on Krish's ground out and moved to third when Sorto reached on an infield error. Kendall Feichtmeir ran for Sorto and stole second. Both runners scored on Grace Tucker's line drive single to right.

Los Gatos picked up eight hits, with Ava Norquist getting two of them. Norquist also was the winning pitcher, tossing six innings, allowing three hits and striking out 10 while walking no one. DeSantis pitched the seventh inning, striking out two more Mustangs.

After playing a nonleague game at Saint Francis Saturday, Los Gatos will play three more league games next week. The Cats will visit Milpitas Monday to make up a game rained out earlier this season. Tuesday, Los Gatos will host Los Altos, and Thursday the Cats will visit Gunn.