By Tim DunnCorrespondent

FALL RIVER — The game isn’t over until it’s actually over. That cliché perfectly describes Diman’s 12-11 walk-off softball win over Bristol Plymouth that went eight innings in a Mayflower Athletic Conference large Vocational matchup on Monday.

A game that saw 23 runs scored was highlighted by two seventh-inning comebacks and a walk-off RBI single by third baseman Courtney Hafey (5-for-6, 3 RBI) in the eighth inning. In fact, 11 of the 23 total runs came during the wild final two innings.

“We always expect a game like this with them,” said Diman coach Chathie Noversa. “We go there and you feel comfortable being up by three, and then all of a sudden we’re here and feel comfortable with a 9-3 lead in the last inning and they come back. Nothing is ever set in stone no matter what inning it is.”

 Diman (5-3, 3-1 league) and B-P (4-1, 3-1 league) are tied for first place.

Diman fell apart in the top of the seventh inning when the Bengals and starting pitcher Sarah Alston lost a 9-3 lead with two outs. BP mounted an incredible comeback with an eight-run rally that included six hits and five walks to take an 11-9 lead.

The Bengals sparked a comeback of their own with two outs in the bottom of the inning. Hafey got Diman started by just barely beating out an infield single with a desperate head-first slide into first base, which was followed by first baseman Haley Roderick reaching base on a single up the middle. Then, an error on a Kaylee Kochanek ground ball knocked in Hafey from third base to put Diman within a run, 11-10.

Alston (3-for-5, 2 RBI), also the Bengals' cleanup hitter, ripped an RBI double into right field to knock in Roderick for the tying run and send the 11-11 ballgame into extra innings.

After a clutch performance at the plate, Alston brought it to the circle. She pitched a shutout inning against four batters to start off the eighth inning set up Diman for the comeback.

“She’s my go-to girl. Sarah has always been my cold weather pitcher,” Noversa said. “She actually pitches pretty well in the cold and this is one of those bitter cold days. She’s been pretty solid for us.”

In the bottom of the inning, leadoff hitter Mya Parker reached first base on a bunt and then stole second base. With two outs, Hafey sent a rope into left field to knock in Parker.