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Prep Softball: Broncos edge Mater Dei Catholic

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Kendall the hitter helped out Kendall the pitcher on Thursday to cap a frustrating six days.

Rancho Bernardo High senior Kendall Brundrett drove in the final two runs in a four-run third inning to overcome a three-run deficit and keep visiting Mater Dei Catholic at bay for a 4-3 nonleague softball victory.

Brundrett (8-4) allowed nine hits and survived three errors, forcing the No. 10-ranked Crusaders (8-2) to strand eight runners in scoring position in a game that snapped a seven-game winning streak for Mater Dei, which has won five straight San Diego Section titles.

Not once did Brundrett, who walked two and had no strikeouts, retire the Crusaders in order.

“Good thing I like tough situations,” Brundrett said. “You have to bear down more, get the ball to be hit at your defenders and get out of trouble.”

The win allowed No. 4 Rancho Bernardo (8-4-1) to cap a dreary six days that included a 1-3 record before edging Mater Dei.

“This definitely pulls us out of a hole,” said Brundrett, who will attend Quinnipiac University in Connecticut. “I think we got our confidence back. We showed we can work out of any trouble.

“Yes, there was a little drama, but I kind of play on adrenaline anyway.”

In the Broncos’ third inning, a one-out walk was followed by a stolen base and Skylee James’ double for one run, Melissa Neyhouse’s infield single scored James. After another walk, Brundrett’s ground single up the middle scored two runs to take the lead.

“She kept saying she was sore and tired, but that she wanted to stay out there,” Broncos coach Summer Boyle said. “She kept getting out of trouble, so we had to leave her in.”

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