It’s the time of year when softball’s wow factor gets those seismographs to start scratching like crazy.

It’s the most fun time. It’s the best time.

With games like Friday’s (April 25) contest between Glendale Mountain Ridge and host Phoenix Sandra Day O’Connor, it is difficult to argue.

O’Connor led twice, only to have Mountain Ridge come back to tie it. The Mountain Lions then surged ahead on a three-run home run by Riley Seegan in the fifth inning and a solo shot by Alyssa DiCarlo in the seventh that built a four-run lead.

It wasn’t enough.

O’Connor got a run-scoring single from Emilee Erickson to cut the lead to three. Maddie Westmoreland’s three-run home run tied it. Jamilia Cosay hit a bloop double to left field and with one out, Hayley Busby bounced a single up the middle on a full count to bring home the winning run as the Eagles completed the comeback with an 8-7 victory.

Wow is right.

O’Connor coach Melissa Hobson said some of her teams have had comebacks before, “but not with this kind of heart. These girls just continually fight until the end.’’

These Deer Valley Unified School District rivals entered Friday’s play about as close as teams can get.

Mountain Ridge was the No. 3 team in Division I power points, O’Connor No. 4. O’Connor raised its record to 24-4 while Mountain Ridge dropped to 23-5.

“This game goes right along with what we’ve been teaching our players – just play O’Connor softball,’’ Hobson said. “Mountain Ridge is a very good team with great hitters and they got the lead, but our girls didn’t let that get to them.’’

O’Connor took a 1-0 lead in the second inning, but Mountain Ridge slugger Corrin Green tied it with a solo homer in the third.

The Eagles moved back in front 3-1 in their half of the third on a two-run double by Westmoreland (five RBIs on the day). Mountain Ridge came right back in the fourth to even it at 3 on an infield out and a wild pitch.

Seegan’s home run in the fifth was out the moment it left the bat. There was a strong wind blowing out to left, but this line drive likely would have left the yard without it. DiCarlo’s shot to lead off the seventh gave the Mountain Lions a comfortable lead that did not last long.

Don't be surprised to see these teams meet again in the state tournament.