HOLLY SPRINGS — There is a new excitement developing with Holly Springs softball and a traditional confidence that still surrounds Fuquay-Varina.

That Bengal confidence was almost shaken by the spirited Golden Hawks, who overcame a 3-0 deficit to tie the score before eventually falling to Fuquay-Varina 4-3 in the opening game for both teams on Friday.

Hannah Wallace scored the game-winning run in the seventh inning on Alex Ryan’s RBI double. Ryan, who scored Fuquay-Varina’s first run, was also the winning pitcher. The senior ace finished the game with 15 strikeouts and allowed just three hits.

The game was originally scheduled to be played at Fuquay-Varina, but due to field conditions was moved to Holly Springs.

The final inning provided the fans with some extra drama in what was a well-played game. Wallace led off with a single, her second of the game. Jessi Johnson moved Wallace over to second base with a well-placed sacrifice bunt. Following a pop out, Ryan faced off with her Holly Springs pitching counterpart, freshman Erica Nunn.

Although Nunn (five strikeouts) was not as overpowering as Ryan on the mound, her consistently pin-point pitching forced the Bengal hitters to fall behind in the count numerous times. Ryan, who had not had a hit against Nunn, found herself with two strikes and two outs with Wallace in scoring position.

This time the senior delivered at the plate, smashing a two-strike pitch into left field and sending Wallace home for the go-ahead run.

The Golden Hawks, who had been soundly defeated by the Bengals last season 7-0, did not falter. A trio of freshmen, including Nunn, tried to come from behind one more time Friday.

Freshman Kristen Krebs reached first base on an error to start the seventh. She was moved over to second following Rebecca Loflin’s sacrifice bunt and then to third on classmate Cianna Burt’s hard-hit sac fly.

Fuquay-Varina, not wanting to test fate, played the percentages and intentionally walked Nunn, who was 2-for-3 including a triple.

With runners on first and third Ryan forced the final batter to ground out to her, allowing the Bengals to breathe a sigh of relief.

“This was a great game for both teams, it’s fun to play these types of games,” said FV coach Tim Ryan, filling in for head coach Debra Clark. “To compete in the Tri-Eight (conference) we need to be involved in some one-run games.”

The Bengals have captured ten of the past eleven conference titles but anticipate some serious competition this season.

For Holly Springs head coach Matt Clifton this game was leaps and bounds better than the previous seasons and gives the Hawks something to build on in 2009.

“Compared to last year we’ve come miles,” said Clifton, whose Hawks enter their third year of varsity competition. “We made a lot of the plays we needed to make and really put some pressure on them coming back from three (runs) to tie.”

“Last year we were not able to put the small things together, but if we can do that it’s going to be an interesting season. The freshmen have really been stepping up and are playing key roles for us.”

The contest was scoreless for three innings before the Bengals punched across three in the top of the fourth inning. Ryan scored on sophomore Alexa Canna’s RBI single, and then Canna stole second and third and came home on a passed ball. Alyssa White drove in Natalie Budde with a sizzler up the middle for the Bengals third run.

The Golden Hawks tried to rally in the bottom half of the fourth but stranded two runners in scoring position. In the fifth they capitalized on their opportunities.

Tracy Kemp, Rebecca Loflin, and Burt all scored. Burt had the big hit, a two-RBI double. Nunn added an RBI single to score Burt.