AUSTINTOWN LOCKS IN A SPOT IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP

WHITESTOWN IN- Pitching lived up to the hype in the regional semifinal, but Austintown came out on top, beating Indiana 3-1 to advance to the championship. Mila Hamley was dominant, recording all 18 outs for Austintown.

Indiana struck first in the opening inning with Naomi Wathen’s RBI single. Austintown quickly tied it up in the second when Lily Sheffield’s single brought in a run.

Austintown took the lead in the fourth inning, capitalizing on an Indiana error and a clutch single from Gracie Faunda, each bringing in a run.

Hamley was sharp, allowing five hits and one run over six innings, striking out nine and walking one. Indiana’s Briley Mercer pitched well, giving up seven hits and three runs (one earned) over six innings, with eight strikeouts and no walks.

Faunda led Austintown with an RBI, going 1-for-2. Marissa Polder, Faunda, Hamley, Sheffield, Gianna Hoops, Emily Belan, and Lexi Petrilla each had one hit.

Wathen was Indiana’s standout, going 2-for-2 with an RBI.

Austintown moves on to the Central Regional Championship on Friday at 1:45, a one-game, winner-take-all showdown, live on ESPN.