Softball Roundup: Kessler’s Game Walkoff Triple Lifts Regina Past Cardinal in Regional Semifinal
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Regina rolled in its postseason opener on Wednesday downing Pekin 12-0 in three innings.
On Friday the Regals needed another in what has become a long list of postseason rallies.
Top-ranked Regina scored three runs in the final two innings to rally past Cardinal 3-2 in a Class 2A, Region 7 semifinal in Iowa City.
Senior Courtney Kessler ripped a two-run walkoff double to center field for the game winner as defending 2A state champion Regina returned to the regional title game.
Regina (26-8) will host Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont (18-17) in the Region 7 title game on Monday at 7 p.m.
Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont defeated East Marshall in the other Region 7 semifinal on Friday.
Cardinal (14-15) scored twice in the top of the second and led 2-0 until Regina cut the lead in half with a run in the sixth.
Gabby Sueppel singled with two outs and after a Cardinal error senior Jillian Panther had an RBI single to right to plate Sueppel.
Regina picked up where it left off in the seventh.
Avery Kies led off the inning with a single and Dani Laughlin followed with a bunt single.
Kessler secured the win with her two-run double to center.
Ashley Webb earned the win, allowing two runs, one earned, on four hits while striking out 11 without walking a batter.
Kies and Laughlin each had two hits and scored a run, Kessler had two hits and drove in two and Panther had two hits and drove in one.
Sueppel had a hit and scored a run and Webb and Alli Clark each added hits for the Regals.
Cardinal 002 000 0 – 2 4 1
Regina 000 001 2 – 3 11 3
W – Ashley Webb L – Nicoa McClure
2B – ICR: Courtney Kessler. CAR: Emma Becker, Ava Ferrell
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