Bartow defeated Durant 2-1 in the Class 6A, Region 2 semifinals, thanks to Ryleigh Knowlton's strong pitching performance. Bartow will face Melbourne in the region finals at home on Thursday.
Key points
Bartow scored 2 runs to defeat Durant 1
Ryleigh Knowlton pitched a two-hitter
Knowlton struck out 11 batters
Bartow will play Melbourne in the region finals
Game scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday
BartowDurantMelbourneRyleigh Knowlton
BARTOW â Bartow scored 13 runs in the first round of the playoffs but the deeper it goes, the more likely the Yellow Jackets are going to have to depend on pitching and defense. That was the case on Wednesday, and Ryleigh Knowlton and her teammates were more than up to the challenge.
Knowlton pitched a two-hitter as Bartow defeated Durant, 2-1, in the Class 6A, Region 2 semifinals.
Bartow will play Melbourne in the region finals at 7 p.m. on Thursday at home. They are the top two seeds in the region.
After allowing a home run to the first batter of the game, Knowlton allowed just five batters â one hit, one hit batter and three walks â the rest of the game. She struck out 11.
Bartow warms up between innings against Durant on Wednesday in the Class 6A, Region 2 semifinals.
Q&A
Who won the Bartow vs Durant softball game in the regional semifinals?
Bartow won the game against Durant with a score of 2-1.
What was Ryleigh Knowlton's performance in the semifinals?
Ryleigh Knowlton pitched a two-hitter and struck out 11 batters during the game.
When is the Bartow vs Melbourne region finals game scheduled?
The region finals game between Bartow and Melbourne is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday.
What was the outcome of the first batter in the game for Bartow?
The first batter hit a home run, but Ryleigh Knowlton then allowed only one hit and three walks for the rest of the game.
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Bartow warms up between innings against Durant on Wednesday in the Class 6A, Region 2 semifinals.
Behind Knowlton, her teammates did not make an error.
âOur offense has been up and down, but our defense has been really good, like great,â Knowlton said. âI definitely think we improved on, that area.â
Durant tried to manufacture the tying run in the top of the seventh when Giana Lopez led off with a single. However, Jillian Hidalgoâs bunt attempt was popped upland catcher Lexi Hayford made the catch then threw a strike to Alyssa Hillman at first to double off Lopez.
âThat was great because then I don't have to work so hard to get the next two outs,â Knowlton said. âI can just focus on getting the last one.â
Knowlton pitched with the lead over the last six innings after Bartow scored two runs in the bottom of the first innings. Emma Huffman led off with a walk and Niamah Johnson singled.
After Huffman scored on a wild pitch, Bailee Ellis drove in Johnson with the go-ahead run.
BartĂłw managed hits from Huffman, Knowlton and Lexi Hayford among with four batters who walked but could not score again. It was enough for Knowlton, however.
âWe started doing fine,â Bartow coach Glenn Rutenbar said. âI would love for us to play a complete game. I mean that would be nice if we could play a complete game, but we're still playing.â
3A-3: Lanier hurls gem in McKeelâs win
Chloe Lanier matched Knowltonâs effort by tossing a 2-hitter and striking out 14 in McKeelâs 3-1 victory over Englewood Lemon Bay in the 3A-3 region semifinals.
McKeel will play host to Tampa Holy Names at 7 p.m. on Thursday in the region final.
Lanier pitched with the lead all game and allowed just one unearned run in the sixth inning.
Isabelle Morrell led off the bottom of the first with a single then later scored on Madyson Marionâs one-out single.
Kamryn Scobel led off the fourth inning with a triple then scored on an infield groundout to give McKeel what proved to be the winning run.
Amelia Mejias reached on an error in the top of the sixth inning and scored on Kylie Jonesâ two-out single to chip away at the Wildcatsâ lead.
McKeel got the run back in the bottom of the sixth on Chloe Whitmerâs two-out single that drove in Mikayla Jackson.
Lanier struck out the first two batters of the inning then allowed a walk before ending the game with her final strikeout.
