SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Wahama erased a sixth-inning deficit by scoring five runs in the final two innings to defeat Petersburg 7-3 in the winners bracket final of the Class A state tournament. With the victory, the White Falcons (28-2) stand just one win away from a successful title defense.
“I was really impressed. That’s what I just told them after the game. That might not have been our best game but that was the most fight we have seen all year coming back like that. We turned it around and made it pretty lopsided our way. That was a great game,” said Wahama head coach Chris Noble.
Wahama broke a scoreless tie in the fourth inning by pushing a pair of runs across. Emma Knapp’s run-scoring triple drove Lauren Noble home. Knapp later scored on a fielders choice.
Petersburg answered with three runs in the bottom of the frame. Hannah Hamric’s bunt single with the bases loaded sent Samantha Colaw home. The Vikings later took a 3-2 lead on a two-run ground rule double from Mackenzie Kitzmiller.
The White Falcons took the lead back with a four-run sixth inning. Kalyn Christian scored on a throwing error to tie the game, 3-3. With the bases loaded and two out, Lauren Noble cleared the bases with a three-run single.
“We got through the lineup a time or two and we were seeing it a little better. We got it done when we needed to,” Chris Noble said.
Wahama added an insurance run in the seventh. Junior pitcher Mikie Lieving, who reached base in all five of her plate appearances, finished off a complete game victory by ending the game with her twelfth strikeout.
“Mikie did a phenomenal job in that game. She pitched a really good game. And she had two hits and they walked her twice, which I would have too if I was Petersburg.”
Wahama has advanced to the championship round that opens Thursday at 2:15 p.m. The White Falcons need just one win in two games to secure their second consecutive state title.
“We’re definitely in the drivers seat. We’ll see how it goes tomorrow.”
Kitzmiller, Brooklyn Rohrbaugh and Kennedy Kaposy each had multi-hit games for the Vikings (18-3). PHS will face St. Marys (20-9) Thursday morning at 9:45 a.m. in an elimination game.