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Miami East celebrates after winning a D-III district title Thursday night
Courtesy Photo
LEBANON — When the Miami East and Waynesville softball teams play , it always turns into must-see softball.
A year ago in the district semifinal, it was a two-run walkoff home run by Miami East’s Kyleigh Kirby with a walk-off two run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning in a 5-3 win that propelled the Vikings on to a Final Four berth.
On Thursday, East found a way to top themselves against the same Waynesville opponent in a D-III district title game at Lebanon Junior High.
The Vikings rallied from a 7-1 deficit with seven runs in the seventh inning to win 8-7.
East, 18-6, will play 23-0 Carlisle in a D-III regional semifinal at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Centerville High School.
“Unbelievable heart and fight in this group,” Miami East softball coach Brian Kadel said. “Seemingly nothing was going our way and they found a way to fight back and win it.”
Reagan Howell, who had a RBI single in the third inning to tie the game 1-1, had a double to start the rally in the seventh.
She would score and make it 7-2 when Rachel Haak reached on an error.
Abigail Kadel reached on a fielder’s choice and Jacqueline Kadel walked.
With two outs, Whitni Enis and Jadyn Bair would both draw bases-loaded walks to make the score 7-4.
Enis had been down 1-2 in the count and fouled off two full-count pitches to stay alive and draw the walk.
Jaycee Roeth was trailing 1-2 in the count before drilling a single to score two runs and make it 7-6.
Howell, batting for the second time in the inning, was up 1-2 in the count and drilled a two-run single to complete the amazing comeback and give East and 8-7 lead. She was 3-for-5 in the game with three RBIs.
Jacqueline Kadel then finished off the win in the home seventh inning, setting Waynesville down in order.
She got a ground ball back to the mound for the first out, a strikeout and a ground out to shortstop Haak ended the game and set off a Miami East celebration.
Kadel pitched a nine-hitter with six strikeouts and four walks.