APEX – The Fuquay-Varina softball team capitalized on a series of Apex miscues to score eight runs in the seventh inning on Friday night and post a come-from-behind, 11-5, win to advance to the third round of the NCHSAA 4A state playoffs.

For much of the game, it seemed the Cougars (17-4) would notch their third win of the season over visiting Fuquay-Varina. The Tri-9 champion Cougars dropped Fuquay (15-11) twice during regular season play and led 5-3 entering the seventh. But the Bengals took advantage of three Apex errors, two hit batters and two walks in the final inning.

Alyssa Dean and Heather Ratcliff both pitched for Fuquay with Ratcliff notching the win in relief. Natalie Budde hit two doubles and scored twice in the game and Hannah Wallace got three hits for the Bengals who now advance to play at Raleigh Millbrook High (18-9), the third seed from the Cap-7 conference. That game was scheduled for Tuesday after press time. The winner of that game would play the winner of another third round game between Holly Springs (18-3) and Pembroke Purnell Swett (18-8).

Last spring, Fuquay made a run all the way to the 4A final four, winning the Eastern 4A championship.

Underwood, Keen Win Track & Field Championships

Fuquay-Varina senior runner, Jocelyn Keen won an individual NCHSAA 4A state championship in the girls 800 meters over the weedend. At 2:12.79, Keen was just a half second off the state record pace.

Bengals junior, Shaun Underwood won the state shot put championship with a throw of 55-1 ½.