Mt. Zion Softball 3A Regional Champs

BRAVES REGIONAL CHAMPIONS. The Mt. Zion girls softball team won the Regional Championship for the 8th year in a row defeating Charleston 12-7 last Friday and advanced to the sectional semi-final on Wednesday evening. Pictured is (front row) Emma Weaver,Tatum Gray, Ana Kanemaru, Molly Doolin,Nikki Ellegood, and Addison Rotz. Middle row: Ellie Green, Izzy Bolyard, Chloe Williams, Rachel Besser, Savannah Beiler, Avelyn Ethel, and Ella Fink. (Back row) Coaches John Beiler, Sam Flesch, Greg Blakey, Isabel Shafer, Dustin Fink, Taylor Minton, and Stephanie Fitzpatrick. Photo submitted.

The Braves girls softball team made it 8 in a row as the program slammed its way to their 24th Regional Championship last Friday defeating Charleston 12-7 and improve to 24-10 with the win.

Avelyn Ethell drove in four runs on one hit as she hit a home run to left field in the second inning, scoring two runs, and hit a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning, scoring one.

Charleston got on the board first off, a homerun to left field, scoring two runs. Then in the top of the second inning a ground out extended their lead 3-1

Mt. Zion took control of the game in the bottom of the second, scoring six runs on five hits to take the lead, 7-3. The biggest blow in the inning was a single by Chloe Williams that drove in two.

Charleston added three runs in the top of the third on a home run to center-field making it 7-6.

The Braves added to their lead in the bottom of the third inning when Ana Kanemaru singled, scoring one run, and Addi Rotz doubled, scoring two runs.

Ella Fink started in the circle first giving up five hits and three runs (two earned) over five innings, striking out seven and walking one. Nikki Ellegood pitched in relief.

Mt. Zion had 14 hits in the game as Ellie Green led the team with three hits in four at-bats. Ellegood, Rotz, and Williams each collected multiple hits in the victory.

The Braves faced the #1 seed Chatham on Wednesday in the sectional semi-final in Glenwood with the winner advancing to the final on Friday, June 6.