ROY — It was the biggest moment of the season for Roy's Brittney Douglas, and she didn't do much celebrating.

She didn't have a choice. After driving in the game-winning run in Roy's 4-3 win over Syracuse on Thursday afternoon, Douglas still had more softball to play.

Douglas, a junior, lined the game-winning hit into right field in the seventh inning to give the Royals a dramatic victory over the Titans in the final preseason tune-up for both teams. Douglas, usually a varsity reserve, then joined Roy's junior varsity team for its game against Syracuse.

"That was awesome," said Roy shortstop/pitcher MaCauley Flint, who was next in the batting order for the Royals when Douglas had her clutch hit. "I thought she was going to lay down a bunt and I was getting ready. But when she got that hit, everyone freaked out. It was really good. She stepped up."

Douglas' hit saved the day for the Royals, who would have gone into region play on an extremely sour note had they not pulled out the victory.

Roy started fast against Syracuse and looked to be on its way to an easy win. Shaylee Barfuss doubled in a run and Alyssa Willard hit a two-run triple to put the Royals up 3-0 in the first inning.

Roy's batting lineup, however, was quieted by Syracuse pitcher Ashley Ostler during the next five innings. The Titans' offense slowly chipped away at Roy's lead as Sarah Basinger lined an RBI single to left in the fourth inning. Basinger then scored on a sacrifice bunt — from second base — by Mylee Davis.

An RBI single by Syracuse's Taylor Saddler tied the game at 3-3 in the seventh.

"I'm happy with how we started it and how we finished it," said Roy assistant coach Travis Flint. "The five innings in between made me sick."

The Royals took advantage of some mistakes by the Titans in the seventh. Cierra Mitchell reached first on a dropped third strike, then advanced to third on a Syracuse throwing error. That set the stage for Douglas, who drove Mitchell in with a shot to right field.

Roy wasn't completely satisfied with the victory, but it will gladly take some momentum into tough Region 5 play next week. Syracuse will begin Region 1 competition next week knowing it has played well against some strong teams in the preseason.

Interestingly, neither of the two teams has a single senior on its roster, but both figure to be factors in their respective league races.

"These are great games for us in the preseason," said Travis Flint. "It gives us a chance to work on a lot of things. It's good to get put in pressure situations and see how the kids step up."