They lost the lead, but didn't lose their poise.

Facing the first-place Washington University in St. Louis Bears on Friday at Pace University in Pleasantville, NY, the New York University softball team lost a 3-0 lead but came back to win the extra-inning contest.

The Violets (8-14, 2-5) took an early 1-0 lead and tripled it when Kalena Paredes produced a two-out, two-run single in the bottom of the sixth to gave NYU a seemingly-comfortable 3-0 advantage.

The Bears (18-7, 6-3) rallied for three runs in the top of the seventh, however, pounding out five hits in the frame. But, with the go-ahead runner on third, Marina Egbert struck out Bears' catcher Payton Irwin to keep the game knotted.

WashU also had baserunners in both the eighth and the ninth innings, but Egbert stranded them.

Then, in the bottom of the ninth, Samantha Burggraf smacked a one-out double for the Violets and Olivia de Hesselle ran for her. She moved to third on a wild pitch, and when Elisabeth Smith grounded to first base, de Hesselle sprinted for home.

The ball beat her to the plate, but Irwin was called for obstruction and the winning run scored.

"Wash is one of the best teams in the country, at the top of our league, and we competed with them all afternoon," said Head Coach Now Allah-James.

Egbert was a stalwart on the mound, pitching all nine innings for her fifth win (5-7) of the season. She scattered 10 hits while striking out five in weaving herself out of several jams.

"She was phenomenal today," James admitted. "She made the big pitches when she needed to."  

Sophia Leon and Hannah Lee each had two hits for the Violets. Erin Scott recorded a hit, two walks, and scored two runs.

"A game like this shows the ability this team has," James concluded. "We just need to put more pieces together."

The Violets will get another chance at the Bears on Saturday (weather permitting), with a scheduled doubleheader beginning at 2:00pm back in Pleasantville.