It took three comebacks, but the South Whidbey High School softball team prevailed in a 14-10 win over visiting Sultan Tuesday, April 17.

The Falcons (3-2, 6-3) moved within a half game of second place in the Cascade Conference with the win; Sultan (0-5, 0-6) remained winless.

South Whidbey plays at Granite Falls (1-3, 3-5) at 4 p.m. Thursday, April 19.

South Whidbey 14, Sultan 10

Both teams collected eight hits. The Falcons were hurt by seven errors; the Turks were hurt by giving up nine walks. The equation tipped South Whidbey’s way with the help of a strong relief pitching performance by Mackenzee Collins and clutch offense.

Sultan touched Falcon starter Melodie Wilkie for three runs, two unearned, in the first inning on only one hit.

South Whidbey registered its first comeback with four runs in the bottom half of the inning.

A walk and a hit batter sandwiched around singles by Wilkie and Collins helped the Falcons plate the four runs.

Sultan erupted for five runs in the second inning. Collins took over in the circle and recorded the final out and then pitched three-hit ball with 11 strike outs the rest of the way. She gave up two runs, both unearned.

With Sultan leading 8-4, the Falcons tied the game in the bottom of the third inning behind singles by Natalie Wilmoth, Sophia Olson and Myah Majestic.

Sultan took its third lead with a run in the top of the fourth, and South Whidbey countered with three runs in its half of the inning to take the lead for good.

Wilkie doubled to get things started, then a couple of walks and an error gave the Falcons the lead.

South Whidbey tacked on two more runs in the fifth with the help of three walks, a hit batter and Wilmoth’s single. That made it 13-9.

Each team scored once in the sixth.

Makenna Morley singled and tallied for the Falcons on an error.

Wilkie and Wilmoth each finished with two hits and three runs. Collins, Olson, Majestic and Morley each added a hit; Collins scored three times and Olson drove in three runs.