AUSTINTOWN ROUTS REIGNING CHAMPIONS

WHITESTOWN IN-  With their backs still against the wall Austintown played Wednesday night in another elimination game at regionals. This time the team in front of them were the back to back reigning champions out of Missouri.  This didn’t phase Austintown though as they quickly dispatched Missouri 10-1 to move on.

Austintown took the lead in the bottom of the first. Annabel Mikesell singled, scoring two runs, to give her team the lead, 2-1.

A fielder’s choice by Bella Baumgart, a passed ball, and a single by Mila Hamley helped Austintown extend their early lead in the third.

Hamley stepped in the circle first for Austintown. The starting pitcher surrendered five hits and one run over five innings, striking out seven and walking one. Mikesell threw one inning of no-run ball in relief to close out the game. She surrendered zero hits, striking out two and walking none.

Austintown amassed eight hits in the game. Seneca Coates led Austintown with two hits in three at bats from the leadoff position. Baumgart and Mikesell were tough to handle back-to-back in the lineup, as each drove in two runs. Coates stole four bases. Austintown also turned one double play in the game on a great catch from Zara Burt, and a heads up play to double off a runner at second.

Austintown is now one step away from the championship game. They square off tomorrow against Indiana at 11:00AM.  The winner will advance to play Iowa in the championship game on Friday.  The game can be streamed on ESPN+.