A nine-run sixth inning propelled Pleasant Valley to a 14-11 win over Bethlehem Catholic on Monday in an Eastern Pennsylvania Conference softball game.

Trailing 8-5, the Bears sent 14 batters to the plate in the bottom of the sixth, nine of which scored.

Lila Borger began the rally with a four-pitch walk. She stole second and reached third on a wild pitch. Maddie Abbateiello doubled over the right fielder’s head, scoring Borger. Rylan Knapp walked, and Mia Battaglino then belted a three-run inside-the-park home run to right field to put the home team ahead, 9-8.

Rylee Green singled, and Bella Altemose reached on an error. With runners at second and third, two groundouts to second base plated two more runs. Emma George doubled to deep center, and Borger drove her home with a single. Abbateiello walked, and Knapp doubled in two more runs, giving Pleasant Valley a 14-8 lead going into the seventh.

The Golden Hawks threatened to tie the game or take the lead in their final at-bat. With one out, Morgan Ostrosky singled to left, and Emily Reyes reached on a swinging bunt. Isabelle Borsuk followed with an RBI single. With two outs, Ava Detch doubled to right, driving in runs 10 and 11 before the side was retired on a flyout to center field.

Bethlehem Catholic opened the game with two runs on a bunt single, three walks and an error. The Bears got one run back in the bottom of the first with two hits — one by George and the other an RBI single off the pitcher’s glove by Knapp.

The Hawks plated four runs in the second inning. The big blows were home runs by Borsuk and Detch. Down 6-1, the Bears cut the lead in half in the bottom of the second with a two-run bloop single to short right field by Borger.

The Hawks lengthened their lead to 8-3 in the top of the third. Ostrosky doubled to deep right, and Borsuk belted her second home run of the game.

“We had no quit in us despite getting down by many runs early,” said Pleasant Valley coach Michelle Albanese.

Before the nine-run sixth inning, the Bears had chipped away at the Hawks’ lead with single runs in the fourth and fifth innings. Abbateiello drove in a run in the fourth with a bases-loaded walk, and in the fifth, Ally Pfancook drove in Altemose with a pinch-hit double.

Satisfied with the win, Albanese stressed the need for her team to put its entire game together if it hopes to make a run at postseason play in the second half of the season.

“Some games we get good pitching, but little hitting,” she said. “Other times, we hit, but our pitching and fielding struggle. We have to play all three well if we are going to have a good finish to the season.”

For Pleasant Valley, George and Knapp each had three hits in the victory. Knapp and Battaglino both had three RBIs. Borsuk had six RBIs for Bethlehem Catholic.

FOUR STRIKEOUTS IN AN INNING … In the bottom of the first, Hawks pitcher Isabelle Borsuk struck out four batters, but recorded only three official outs. Emma DePalma struck out to lead off, but reached first safely on a passed ball.

OH, THOSE BASES ON BALLS! … Three pitchers in the game combined for 18 walks, which heavily contributed to the 25 total runs scored.

UP NEXT … As the third of a four-game homestand, Pleasant Valley hosts Southern Lehigh on Wednesday. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.

Beth. Cath. 242 000 3 — 11 10 3

Pleasant Vy. 120 119 X — 14 14 2

Borsuk and Detch; Abbateiello, Green (2) and Battaglino. W — Green. L — Borsuk. Home runs — BC: Borsuk 2 (two on, one on), Detch (solo). PV: Battaglino (two on).

Records — Bethlehem Catholic (0-11); Pleasant Valley (4-9).