File photo – Ferndale’s Fallon Bullan

Hoopa and Ferndale split a softball doubleheader at Ferndale High School on Thursday, leaving both schools tied for third in the conference standings.

The visitors ran out to a 9-3 win in the opener, but the home team would respond with an 11-9 victory in game two to salvage a share of the spoils.

It was a nice response from the Ferndale girls after they dropped to 0-3 in conference play after game one.

And they did it with timely hitting and some strong defense, an aspect of their game the players have been working on.

“I thought today, especially in the second game, we showed what we can do defensively,” Ferndale head coach Jeremy Griffith said. “We’re seeing some growth in areas we’ve been working on.”

Both schools are now 1-3 in conference play.

Game one belonged to the visitors, who took a three-run lead in the top of the first and never trailed.

The Warriors added five more unanswered runs to open up an eight-run advantage heading into the bottom of the fifth and after that there was no way back for the Cats.

Madison Gossi and Rainy Rodriguez led Ferndale at the plate in game one, finishing with three hits each.

Impressive freshman Caleigh Griffith also had a good game and was 2-for-2 with an RBI, while Olivia Gossi and Fallon Bullan each finished 1-for-4.

Olivia Gossi pitched all seven innings and took the loss in the circle, allowing three walks and striking out two.

Humboldt Sports reached out to Hoopa but no stats were immediately available.

The Wildcats, however, would bounce back to take game two with Madison Gossi and Caleigh Griffith leading the way.

Madison Gossi finished 3-for-4 and hit a key two-RBI double late in the day that proved to be the difference in a tight game.

The standout junior finished with six hits on the day.

The young Griffith, meanwhile, is quickly establishing herself as an important player at the varsity level and is playing beyond her years.

She finished 3-for-4 in game two, giving her five base hits on the day.

“Madison Gossi had a big day,” the Ferndale head coach said. “And Caleigh keeps putting the bat on the ball and making things happen for us.”

Several other Ferndale players also stepped up in the win, including Rodriguez, who capped a big day by going 1-for-2 with three runs, as well as Alayna Cooney, who was 1-for-4 with two RBIs.

Danica Dowd rounded out a nine-hit team performance and was 1-for-4 with an RBI.

Olivia Gossi got the win in the circle, pitching her second complete game of the day and striking out five.

“Olivia didn’t have her best stuff, but she battled for us today and got the win,” Jeremy Griffith said.

Once again no stats for game two were immediately available for Hoopa.

Next up, the Cats, who are 4-7 overall, will play a non-conference doubleheader at Hayfork on Monday before traveling to South Fork for a pair of Little 4 games next Thursday.

The Warriors, who are 1-9 overall, will host Etna in a doubleheader on Friday, before hosting Weed in a doubleheader on Monday.