FRANKLIN—Normangee entered Thursday night’s contest with perhaps the most potent offense in the state.
So, to hold them to a single run would be a victory in itself, just not the right kind.
The second-ranked Lady Panthers produced just one hit to sneak past Milano 1-0 in a one-game playoff in the Class 2A, Region IV area-round at Franklin High School.
The Lady Panthers (26-4) advance to the third round of the playoffs for the first time in school history and will face Evadale.
Milano ends its rebuilding season at 14-9-1.
“It was a great game,” said Milano Coach Amanda Keen. “Jenna Lewis was on point and hitting her spots. It really turned into a pitching duel. I am very proud of my team and how much they have grown and improved this season.”
Ashlyn Teran—hitting .714 on the season—provided Normangee with the only hit and only run it would need on the evening when she powered a drive into left field in the second.
The ball bounced just under the glove of Kaitlyn Telg and scooted into the corner and Teran never slowed down as she motored around the bases and crossed home plate well ahead of the throw.
Teran (8-1) stood out on the mound as well, striking out nine batters, while her defense shined behind her as she sat down 13 in a row to end the game.
After Emilie Compton slapped a two out single to centerfield in the third, the Normangee defense kicked in as second baseman Sloane Swearington snatched up a ball that had ricocheted off first baseman Lexi Harrison’s glove and she quickly tossed it to Harris for the third out in the inning
Milano hurler Jenna Lewis proved equal to her rival, fanning eight Lady Panthers and after Teran’s homer, retired 13 straight batters.
In the next inning, Mikayla Merkel completed a shoestring catch in right field on a Laynie Bastow blast.
In the seventh, Swearington again saved Normangee from further trouble by snagging a pop up in the infi eld.
Telg produced the only other Milano hit with a two-out single through the left side of the infield in the second inning.
Another outstanding defensive play by center-fielder Hannah Morton on a fly ball ended any kind of threat.
Normangee attempted to add to its lead in the sixth after Shelby Knippa reached on an error and Lexi Harris coaxed Lewis’ only walk, but Lewis scooped up a grounder from Swearington to snuff out the threat.
Milano loses Compton, Kali Taylor and leading hitter Kaylie Poehl.
“We had to have several girls play new positions this year and they did a great job adjusting,” Keen said. “We knew at the beginning of the season that defensively we struggled with the bunting game but as the season progressed we learned to adjust and we were able to handle the small ball game against Normangee.”
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