The Basha High School Bears softball team defeated the Perry High School Pumas 8-7 in a close battle Thursday.

Host Perry had a chance to at least tie the game at the end. But Basha relied on its defense to close the game.

The bottom of the seventh inning started with Perry sophomore Braylee Harder making solid contact, sending the ball to the deep right side of the field. But Bashas’ Grace McNulty made a clutch defensive catch to earn the first out.

Perry senior Julianna Nava then managed to get on first base after a line drive down the right side. Sophomore Maycie Boblitt followed with a fly ball to center field that was easily caught by Basha’s Aniyah Jaiman.

Needing just one more out, the Bears’ dugout was yelling with excitement. Perrys’ fate was in sophomore Madeline Murphy’s hands at that point.

Murphy hit the ball down the right side of the field, but Basha’s Sarah Chacon quickly scooped up the ball and threw to first base for the game ending play.

"We competed to the very last moment and fought hard. I'm proud of my team for sticking together and overcoming adversity," said Basha’s Morgan Bragg. "Offense and defense played their hearts out and that led us to getting a win today."

It was an offensive game early, as both teams earned a decent amount of runs during the first inning.

Perry started off hot with runners at first and second before junior CC Hall hit the ball to deep left field for a three-run home run. The Pumas continued to thrive in the first inning, scoring two more runs.

But in the bottom of the first, Basha also was productive, scoring three runs thanks to RBI at bats from sophomore Addy Kimberlin and junior Morgan Bragg. The first inning ended with Perry leading 5-3.

The Basha offense really started to click during the bottom of the second. That’s when senior Grace McNulty and Bragg earned RBIs and helped the Bears tie the game.

Then, with a runner on first, junior Makaila Quinney stepped up and blasted the ball over center field for a two-run homer. The Bears led 7-6 at the end of the second inning.

During the third inning, Bashas’ defense stood its ground. Senior Liv O’eil’s quick hands caught a beaming ball heading to the left side of the field.

The Pumas finished the third inning with no runs, and Basha continued to produce on offense when Kimberlin earned another RBI. The Bears now led 8-6.

But a hit by Perry junior Ellie Leicht added one run during the top of the fourth inning, cutting the Bears’ lead back to one run.

"The beginning of the game was intense for us," Bragg said. "Perry was ready and got an early big lead. But that didn't phase us. We know each game will be tough no matter who the opponent is. As long as we play our game, we can overcome obstacles."

The last three innings saw both teams' defenses being stubborn.

Perry (8-6) started to gain some momentum in the top of the sixth inning when sophomore Brynlee Brassfield was on first base and CC Hall bunted the ball.

Hall tried to give Brassfield a chance to get to third, but the Bears’ agile defense was quick to scoop the ball and tag first base. Brassfield then thought she had a chance to steal third, but Basha’s defense quickly pounced and trapped Brassfield before tagging her out.

Basha (12-3) didn’t add to its lead in the bottom of the sixth inning, leaving the game still 8-7 heading to the final frame.