BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Telegraph Staff Writer
Keystone Heights scored two runs in the top of the first, while pitcher Madi Mitzel gave up just one run in the Indians’ 3-1 win over host Providence in a Region 1-3A semifinal softball game on May 17.
The Indians (19-9) now travel to Baldwin on Friday, May 20, to play for the Region 1 championship at either 4 p.m. or 7 p.m. Baldwin (25-2) advanced by defeating FSU High School 12-0.
Emma Rogel led off the game by drawing a walk. She advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Alaina Kinsal before scoring on a Kiley Channell single. Channell was able to continue to third on the throw and scored on an error.
Providence (19-7) had two runners on with one out in the bottom of the third. A line out to Abbie Roach in center field and a line out to Jaiden Robinson in left field ended the inning.
The Stallions’ Grace Wilson hit a one-out single in the fourth and advanced to second on a passed ball before scoring on a single hit by Avery Adcock, making the score 2-1.
Channell, who went 2 for 3, hit a two-out double in the sixth. Roach then singled to bring her home with the game’s final run.
Providence’s leadoff batter in the bottom of the sixth reached on a single, but the Keystone defense turned a double play when Joey Trawick lined out to second baseman Kinsal.
Mitzel gave up seven hits and no walks, while striking out four.
Stallions pitcher Trawick gave up four hits and one walk, striking out 10.
The last time the Indians played for a regional championship was in 2018.
