A three-run burst in the bottom of the fifth inning was the spark Adams County Christian School needed as the Lady Rebels got past rival Cathedral 5-1 in an MAIS softball showdown Monday night.

ACCS (14-3-1) entered the bottom of the fifth clinging to a 2-1 advantage and looking to respond to Cathedral’s run-scoring rally in the top of the frame.

The Lady Rebels sent seven batters to the plate in the inning, which was highlighted by Marlee Magee’s run-scoring double. Magee led her team with two hits and also scored a run.

“This is real big for the girls,” ACCS coach Tate Lipscomb said. “My girls always hit the ball late (in games). We’ve gone through a spell for about the past week-and-half where they don’t want to start (hitting) at the beginning of the game. Which is fine, but it puts a little pressure on them.”

But ACCS pitcher Brianna Henson more than welcomed the burden. The senior hurler yielded just two hits and retired CHS in order in each of the sixth and seventh innings en route to a five-strikeout complete game.

“When you have her in the circle, you’re always in the game,” Lipscomb said. “We’ve been playing some flawless (defense) lately.”

The Lady Green Wave (4-9) helped contribute to their rival’s fifth-inning rally with a walk and a fielding error to start the game. CHS committed three errors in the game to ACCS’ one.

“We just gave them too many opportunities, and they took advantage of it,” CHS coach Craig Beesley said. “We’ve been playing pretty good defense throughout the year, but tonight wasn’t our night. We made some good plays, but we didn’t consistently make the routine plays.”

Lady Green Wave pitcher Madeline Smith kept pace with Henson for much of the night as she allowed just two earned runs while striking out two batters. Smith also induced 10 ground-ball outs.

“Madeline has gotten better each game this year,” Beesley said. “She struggled a little bit this past weekend, but during the weekday games, she’s pitched really well.”

Cathedral managed just two hits in the game, with Allie Feltus smacking a run-scoring single in the top of the fifth.  Emily Rasco also recorded a single for Cathedral.

“We knew coming in that if we could get five or six hits off of (Henson), then we’d be doing good,” Beesley said.

Cathedral will host Silliman tonight while ACCS travels to face Central Private in part of its five-game week.

“We’ve got a busy schedule this week,” Lipscomb said. “Coming down the stretch we’re playing a lot, trying to get these rainouts in. But I think it’s good because it’s keeping our momentum going into South State (tournament).”