Suzanne Reeve woke up confident on Saturday morning.

The Cinco Ranch head coach and her team were in a tough situation Saturday, going up against District 20-6A winner George Ranch in a winner take all game three of their bi-district series, but Reeve had a good feeling, and when she walked into the Cinco Ranch softball field that feeling only got stronger. She knew that the Cougars were going to find a way to keep their season going.

“I went home last night and I said ‘we are going to win this game on Saturday,’” Reeve said. “Then when I saw the girls this morning, saw their body language and the way they were ready to go, I just knew it right then. I felt it, these girls were going to find a way and they did that. I’m so proud.”

Cinco (15-14) did find a way, scoring five runs in the sixth inning of the deciding game to beat George Ranch (24-7) 5-2, as the Cougars advanced to the area round for the third straight season. It took everything from Cinco Ranch, the team fell behind by two runs in the second inning, but rallied late to take a thrilling win.

George Ranch had a chance to break things open in the second inning, loading the bases with no outs and got a run off an RBI single from Abigail Dominguez, but Faith Piper stepped up and limited the damage, throwing out two runners at the plate and keeping another ball in the infield that turned into a fielders choice as the Cougars kept the George Ranch lead to only 2-0.

“It was big for us I think,” Piper said. “Even with them scoring it shifted the momentum. We kept them at two runs and that frustrated them a bit and it gave us a better chance at coming back later in the game.”

George Ranch held the Cinco offense at bay for the first five innings of the game, but the Cougars broke through in a big way in the bottom of the sixth. Cinco loaded the bases with no outs and Lindsey DeLeon stepped to the plate and had the biggest hit of her life, launching a grand slam over the right field wall to give Cinco the lead. The Cougars kept it going, getting a runner in scoring position after a single and an error and Katie Schmidt-Pena hit an RBI single to make it a three-run lead.

“We knew that we were the better team and that we could wear them down and eventually get those runs,” DeLeon said. “The coaches put that mindset in us and we grinded for it all day. To be the one who put us ahead and to hit that grand slam was such an amazing feeling.”

Cinco got the final three outs in a strong top of the seventh, working around a double to not give up a run and seal the win.

Savannah Henningson had a strong day on the mound. The senior overcame the two run second inning and didn’t allow a run the rest of the way, working out of trouble on multiple occasions, allowing 10 hits but just the one earned run while striking out two and not walking a batter.

“Savannah is amazing up there,” Reeve said. “She’s so methodical up there and precise with her pitching. I’m sure she wanted to be in there the first two games, but when her number was called she fought and she was amazing when we needed her. We knew we would have to rally today and the whole team did it together.”

Cinco Ranch advances to play Bellaire in the area round of the playoffs, times and dates to be determined. The Cougars are happy to have one more week, and they will do everything to keep advancing.

“I’m so excited,” Piper said. “This team deserves it. I just want to keep playing with these girls and I’m excited to keep going and have another chance.”