In a game with more twists and turns than a roller-coaster, Gloucester High School varsity softball players battled back from an early 5-1 deficit to defeat visiting Bethel High School, 10-9, last Thursday in an important Division 5 win.There were five lead changes from the second through the fifth innings. The Dukes took an early 1-0 lead in the second inning as Grace Saunders walked, stole second and came around to score on a hit by Grace Sinko VanLiew that was misplayed in the infield.

In the top of the third, the Bruins scored five runs as the Dukes’ defense helped the Bethel offense build a 5-1 lead. Gloucester cut the lead to 5-4 in the bottom of the third as Hailey Hardaway singled and Kaia Hutton and Leighann Harper had back-to-back infield singles. VanLiew later drove in two runs with a single to right center field.

The Dukes tied it at 5-5 in the fourth when Lila Saunders walked, stole second and third and scored on one of nine Bethel errors. Later in the inning, Sadie...