JEFFERSON TWP — Victory seemed so improbable.

Knoch had managed just three hits through five innings, trailed 4-1 and Freeport was playing flawless defense Saturday afternoon at Laura Doerr Park.

But the Knights (9-2) scored four runs on seven hits in the final two frames to rally for a 5-4 girls softball victory. Freeport's loss snapped a four-game winning streak.

“We play hard for seven innings. That's one thing we always preach and always do,” Knoch coach Tim Knappenberger said. “That proved out today.”

The Yellowjackets (8-2) scored three times in the second inning as Madison Wagner delivered a run-scoring single up the middle and Erin King knocked in two with a single to left.

After an RBI triple by Celia Knappenberger got a run back for Knoch in the bottom of the inning, Kristie Radvan's solo homer to left staked Freeport to the 4-1 lead it took into the bottom of the sixth.

“They have a very good team and we knew this would be a good game,” Coach Knappenberger said of the Yellowjackets. “I'm sure they will do well in the playoffs.”

Knoch did well late in this game.

A bases-loaded single by Celia Knappenberger plated a run for the Knights in the sixth. With only one out and the sacks still jammed, pitcher Radvan avoided further damage by inducing a pair of ground-outs back to the mound. She forced a runner at home on the first one.

Knappenberger's triple came with one out in the second inning. Radvan forced the Knights to strand her there.

“We did a good job of working out of trouble today,” Freeport coach Sam Ross said. “It just caught up to us.”

Sydney Natili opened the Knoch seventh by reaching on an infield error. With one out, winning pitcher Jessi Reed singled to center. Natili headed for third on the play and the throw from the outfield sailed out of play.

Natili scored and Reed — the tying run — was placed at third. Erin Luffy singled to center to tie the game.

Pinch-runner Madison Holben stole second, but Radvan got Abigail Black to pop up to first. Just when it looked like Radvan would escape further damage again, Taylor Lesseski drilled a single to center, plating Holben with the winning run.

It was Lesseski's third hit of the game.

“I went up there just telling myself, 'I know I can do this.' I wanted to help my team,” Lesseski said. “This win will give us a lot of confidence, especially the way we got it.”

Coach Knappenberger agreed.

“You always want to play good competition, whether it's Quad A, Double A, whatever,” he said. “Having a quality opponent so close by ... Both coaches figured our teams would benefit from playing this game.”

It was Freeport's fourth game in four days.

“Sure, you'd like to win, but this was a busy week for us,” Ross said. “Overall, we played well ... plenty of positives.”

Freeport 031 000 0 — 4 8 2

Knoch 010 001 3 — 5 10 1

W: Jessi Reed 7IP (2K, 1BB). L: Kristie Radvan 6.2IP (3K, 2BB).

Freeport (8-2): Claire Crytzer 1B, Kristie Radvan HR, Allison DeJidas 2B 1B, Alyssa Obringer 1B, Madison Wagner 1B RBI, Erin King 1B 2-RBI

Knoch (8-2): Sydney Natili 1B, Jessi Reed 2-1B 2-R, Erin Luffy 2-1BTaylor Lesseski 2B 2-1B RBI, Celia Knappenberger 3B 1B 2-RBI

Today: Greensburg Salem at Freeport

Thursday: Knoch at Highlands