MARION — The Marion Wildcats rallied from an 11-3 deficit to force extra innings, then beat Pinckneyville 13-12 in eight innings in the softball season opener for both teams.

The Lady Panthers jumped out to a 2-0 lead, but Marion grabbed the lead with three runs in the bottom of third.

Pinckneyville regained the lead, exploding for nine runs in the top of the fifth, highlighted by freshman Bella Morgan’s two-run homer. Morgan would’ve had another hit and two more RBIs in the inning, but Marion senior centerfielder Karris Rhine made a diving grab to end the inning.

Rhine’s catch gave the Wildcats some life. They came back with five runs in the bottom of the fifth and two more in the sixth to pull within 11-10.

Morgan added an RBI single in the seventh as Pinckneyville took a 12-10 lead to the bottom of the seventh. After the first two batters were retired, Rhine, who has signed with Austin Peay, launched a solo home run onto the neighboring tennis courts at the Crisp Complex. The next two Wildcats reached base, then Abby Sherrard brought home Jerzy Bittle with an RBI single to tie the game at 12 and force extra innings.

Pinckneyville threatened in the top of the eighth, but left the go ahead run on third base. Then in the bottom of the seventh, again after two were out, Marion put two on with an infield hit and a hit by pitch. Rhine hit a hot smash that Pinckneyville could not field, allowing pinch runner Breana Reid to score the game winning run.

Marion (1-0) will host Anna-Jonesboro Tuesday. Pinckneyville (0-1) will host Steeleville Wednesday.