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The defending state champion Skyline Lady Tigers survived a wild seventh inning to beat Central (Park Hills) and advance back to the Class 2 state title game.
Skyline scored the game’s first run in the top of the second inning, but Central had an answer in the bottom half. In the top half of the third, Skyline exploded for four runs to take a 5-1 lead. The Tigers added another run in the top of the fourth to take a 5-2 lead setting up a wild finish.
Central cut the lead by one run with a home run in the top of the sixth by Alexandra Kelly.
In the seventh, Skyline led 6-3 and got the first two outs of the inning to get one out away from a berth in the state championship game.
Central would not go away quietly.
The Rebels put their lead-off batter Alexis Portell on. She came around to score on a double by shortstop Sydney Miles. Kaydence Cosby laced a single over the head of Skyline’s shortstop to give the Rebels first and third with two outs down two runs.
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Kelly came back to the plate with a chance to do more damage. She hit a pop-up to the infield that fell to the ground sending a second run to the plate and Cosby to third. While Skyline had its back to the plate after the play, Cosby broke from third and tried to score but Skyline pitcher Jadyn Foster threw a strike to catcher Taylor Hunt for the game-winning out.
Foster threw seven innings with five strikeouts. Grace Edge and Hunt led Skyline at the plate. Edge went 2-for-4 and hit a home run with three RBI. Hunt was 3-for-3 with a walk, run scored and RBI.
Skyline will face Diamond at 10 am on Tuesday in the Class 2 state championship. Diamond beat Skyline 10-0 on Apr. 22 in the Adrian Tournament.
