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Region softball: Admiral Farragut 2, Moore Haven 1

 
Published April 27, 2016

ST. PETERSBURG — With the bases loaded, Mikayala Fudge did what she was instructed to do. She ran home once the batter made contact.

But the Admiral Farragut eighth-grader had no idea the impact she had once she crossed the plate. A flubbed play allowed her to score what turned out to be the winning run in a 2-1 victory over Moore Haven in Tuesday's Class 2A region final.

It was a wild ending, with the Blue Jackets rallying with two runs — all with two outs — in the bottom of the seventh to reach the state semifinals for the first time.

Amid the pandemonium on the final at-bat, Fudge stood bewildered. It wasn't until teammates approached her that she realized she had scored the winner.

"I really didn't know what was going on," Fudge said. "I was so focused on running that I didn't know if (teammate Alina Dixon was safe on the play. Everybody started screaming and telling me that we won. It was unbelievable."

The game was a rematch of last year's region final that Moore Haven won 1-0.

It appeared the Blue Jackets might fall to their nemesis by the same score Tuesday, especially after the Terriers scored a run in the third.

Admiral Farragut (18-2) had trouble generating any offense off pitcher Olivia Everett, who allowed just three hits through the first six innings.

In the seventh, the Blue Jackets had the bottom of the lineup up.

"We were extremely nervous, but we all believed in each other," said Admiral Farragut pitcher Corynn Miner, who allowed three hits and recorded 12 strikeouts. "We knew if we just stayed patient things would go our way."

Sarah Schleich had a single that was sandwiched between a flyout and groundout.

Down to their final out, the Blue Jackets drew three straight walks, the last bringing in the tying run. Dixon followed by tapping the ball on grounder that was misplayed, allowing her to reach first safely and Fudge to score.

"I'm so proud of this team, Admiral Farragut coach Linda Derk said. "Everybody played a role and they just found a way to get it done."