Joining you all once again from Plant City for the Class 6A state semifinal between Miami Palmetto and Jacksonville Mandarin. (Remember to hit F5 to refresh.)
Palmetto stranded leadoff hitter Courtney Ray, who reached on a single, in the top of the first. Pitcher Kelly Saco blasted a shot down the left field line, but the home plate umpire ruled it just foul. Saco wound up striking out.
Mandarin loaded the bases in the bottom of the first on a walk and two singles. Saco walked in a run when her pitch to the outside of the plate on a full count was ruled a ball. A passed ball scored another run. Mandarin up 2-0 through one.
Heading into the bottom of the third. Still 2-0 Mandarin.
Done through four, still the same score. Palmetto sends the bottom of the order (6-7-8) to the plate in the fifth.
Palmetto ties the score in the fifth.
Emily Stephens drew a walk and Claire Rocawich doubled. Jackie Houk singled to score courtesy runner Taylor Waddell. Courtney Ray reached on an infield single to load the bases. Cristina Pardinas followed with a single to center to drive in the tying run. Saco, who jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the count, struck out on three straight pitches, including her swing at a high pitch for strike three. Amanda Marquez flew out to center to end the inning.
So much for the tie. Mandarin's Michelle Moultrie just blasted a shot over the right field fence. Mandarin up 4-2, still in the bottom of the fifth.
Palmetto got runners on first and third with no outs in the seventh. Saco popped to shortstop. One out.
Holy improbable comebacks, Batman. Palmetto scores three in the top of the seventh. The first run scored on an error before Lauren Guzman doubled to right-center to drive in two runs.
Palmetto now up 5-4 heading into the bottom of the seventh.
Two outs, runner on first, and Moultrie (she of the two-run home run and a 3 for 3 day, is up. Wow. Intentional walk to put the tying run in scoring position. No matter. Saco just got opposing pitcher Riley Carter to ground out. Palmetto wins 5-4.
