Milan won its third softball regional championship Tuesday as the third-ranked Lady Indians shutout No. 11 Knightstown 3-0.
Milan pitcher Kynadee Bode tossed a no-hitter with 14 strikeouts and three walks. However, the game was not without drama in the final frame.
Bode had retired 18 Panthers in a row including punching out the first two batters she faced in the seventh. But a throwing error and a walk brought the potential tying run to the plate. However, Bode rushed out of the circle to snag a bunted ball in the air to end the game.
Bode and Mallory Eaglin had back-to-back, two-out RBI singles to put the locals in front 2-0 in the third. Neveah Carpenter provided an insurance run in the sixth with an RBI sacrifice bunt. Carpenter also made two outstanding defensive plays in center.
Milan, now 30-4, advances to Saturday’s Brown County Semi-State and will face No. 5 West Washington at 1 pm. The Senators 21-4, beat Wood Memorial 5-0.
The 11 a.m. game at Brown County will pit the top two teams in 1A. No. 1 Barr Reeve bested Bloomfield 6-3 and No. 2 Indy Lutheran canned Cowan 10-1. The Vikings are 27-1 while the Saints are 17-5.
You can follow the Indians on 103.9 FM and the WRBI App Saturday starting around 12:40 p.m. Should Milan advance to the semi-state finals, our coverage will begin around 6:40 p.m.
