NAPOLEON – After rallying to win a pair of game against Maumee and Genoa last week, invading Bowling Green softball appeared on the verge of doing the same to Napoleon Friday.

With the tying run on second and the go-ahead run on first, after already scoring two runs in the top of the seventh inning, Makenna Oates, the Bobcats’ No. 3 hitter in the line-up, ripped a ball down the line … foul by less than a foot.

Napoleon pitcher Arianna Kiessling settled down and threw the next pitch past a swinging Oates for the final out and the Wildcats survived with a 3-2 Northern Lakes League win Friday at Booster Field.

Napoleon coach Missy Smith said her team responded to the adversity in the final inning.

“It goes back to us talking about controlling the controllables,” said Smith. “We didn’t make some plays, but we didn’t let that control us.”

The Bobcats opened the seventh inning with a walk and a sacrifice bunt by Taylor Rothenbuler was thrown into right field, allowing the runner on first to score and put Rothenbuler on third. After a strikeout, pinch hitter Katelynn Rashley reached on an infield single, scoring the second run of the inning.

Another infield single — the second of the game by Samantha Trimpey put runners on first and second. However, Kiessling struck out the next two batters, giving her 13 for the game, to secure the win.

Kiessling allowed only three hits and three walks in seven innings.

“The composure she has in different scenarios is amazing,” said Smith.

Bowling Green coach Cassie Nauman said her team struggled adjusting to Kiessling’s pitching.

“It started early on,” said Nauman. “We were not making contact. We had a few girls make adjustments, but not many.”

Nauman said she was proud of her team’s effort at the end of the game.

“They called us the ‘Cardiac Cats’ in the paper a couple of weeks ago,” said the BG coach. “We came close again today, but we just couldn’t make it happen.”

Napoleon scored on RBI singles by Jadyn Wilcox in the first inning and Kiessling in the second, which scored Addi Thompson, who had a base hit earlier in the frame.

Erica Meyer scored the Wildcats’ other run in the bottom of the fifth inning after leading off with a walk, advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt by Letty Gonzales. Meyer attempted to go to third on the throw to first and the ball was wild, allowing her to score.

“We want to put defenses in situations where they have to make plays,” said Smith.

The Bobcats had another good scoring chance in the top of the fifth inning, loading the bases with no out on a walk, error and another walk. Kiessling set down the next three batters on strikes to end the threat.

Meghan Kramp took the loss for Bowling Green, going six innings and allowing three runs on three hits and two walks, while striking out seven.

Napoleon is now 3-4 (1-1 in the NLL). The Lady Cats travel to Southview Monday. BG (6-5, 1-2 in the NLL) travels to Springfield Monday.