CASSTOWN – Miami East (18-4) survived a scare on Wednesday in the opening round of the sectional tournament by holding off Milton-Union, 9-7.
Leading 9-2 heading into the final inning, Miami East suddenly found itself facing adversity as Milton-Union quickly scored five runs to cut the margin to 9-7. Fortunately for Miami East, it was able to get the final out to end things and advance to Monday’s sectional final at Versailles against Waynesville.
Milton-Union saw its season and the careers of six seniors end – Maddie Baker, Jenna Booher, Rhi Emmons, Taylor Falb, Regan Robinson and Maddie Winemiller. The Lady Bulldogs have a very talented group of players who will return next season.
In the game, Miami East scored four runs in the second and two in the fourth to build a 6-0 lead. Milton-Union plated a pair of runs in the fifth to get back into the game, but Miami East scored two in the fifth and one in the sixth before the Lady Bulldogs mounted a gallant comeback in the seventh.
Kyleigh Kirby picked up the win in the circle for the Lady Vikings as she tossed six innings before Jacqueline Kadel entered the game in the seventh to pick up the save.
Kalli Teeters had a huge game at the plate with 3 hits, 5 RBI and a run scored, while Meg Gilliland, Abigail Kadel and Jacqueline Kadel had 2 hits each.
Miley Jones and Carly Zimmer combined for the effort in the circle for Milton-Union – combining to strike out 3 and allowing 10 hits.
Offensively, Miley Jones connected on a home run, while Raegan Fulton and Jenna Booher had 2 hits each to lead the Lady Bulldogs.