The Gustine Lady Redskins dropped a 10-8 softball decision to visiting Millennium Monday afternoon.

A three-run seventh lifted the Falcons to the victory in a game which saw the lead change hands several times.

Gustine had trailed early, but battled back with a five-run third to lead 6-4.

Millennium countered to take a one-run edge in the top of the sixth, but Gustine plated a single run in the bottom of the frame to send the game into the seventh knotted at 7-all.

The Falcons pushed three runs across and held Gustine to one in the bottom of the frame to put the win in the books.

Micayla Laupua had a perfect day at the plate for the Lady Redskins with three hits in as many trips. Linda Mattie collected three hits in four at-bats and scored three runs, and Taylor Crowley had two hits on the afternoon.

Coach Adam Cano emphasized that the success of the Lady Redskins this season would depend on their ability to score runs and hold onto leads with defense.

“We’ve got to be behind Taylor with our defense and our hitting,” Cano commented.

“If the other team scores six we have to score eight to be supporting our pitcher.”

“The key for us is to be getting on base and recognizing situations on the bases and at the plate that will get us to score,” Cano continued. “Our defense plays a big part in holding onto leads. We need to work on getting in front of balls and making plays when we absolutely have to make them.”