Despite giving up a lead late in the game against Zion Chapel, the Brantley Bulldogs softball team fought back to win 8-7 on Tuesday in Brantley.

The Bulldogs started off hot, putting five runs on the board in the first inning as Erica Daniels, Nicki Bailey, Eisha Person, Hillary Hudson and Peyton Hill all crossed the plated.

Zion Chapel slowly fought back, scoring a run in the third and fifth innings before exploding in the sixth.

The Rebels started the inning with a run and added three more on a three-run home run.

Before the inning was over, a Brantley error helped Zion Chapel add another run to take a 7-5 lead.

Despite being behind, the Bulldogs responded with three runs in the bottom of the sixth.

A ground ball from Eisha Hamilton and some sloppy fielding by Zion Chapel gave the Bulldogs a pair of runs to tie it, and Sydnee Bryan brought Hamilton in for the winning run.

The win brings the Bulldogs’ record to 5-5 on the season, and head coach Cindy Hawthorne said the team is starting to hit the ball well.

“Our bats finally came alive, and we got a big hit from Sydnee, who is a seventh grader,” Hawthorne said.

So far this year, the Bulldogs have been fighting injuries, and Hawthorne said Hudson, who pitched the winning game against Zion Chapel, has been a key part of the team.

“She’s really taken the pitching on her back,” Hawthorne said.

Next up for Brantley is their first region game of the season, which comes against Ariton on Thursday.

“Ariton is going to be the team to beat in our area, so this is a big game for us,” Hawthorne said.

That game is set for 5 p.m. on Thursday in Brantley.