GLEN ST. MARY — The Fort Walton Beach softball won four one-run games en route to the program’s first state title last spring.
Come Wednesday night, that postseason magic returned when Anna Beyhl launched a three-run homer in the sixth inning to tie Baker County 5-all. But two innings later, the Vikings’ bid to repeat as region and champs ended with two outs in the eighth inning.
Despite another gritty outing from reigning Female Athlete of the Year Izzy Douglas, who struck out six and allowed six runs — three earned — on nine hits and four walks and Beyhl’s massive swing, Fort Walton Beach’s run ended on the road in a 6-5 loss to the Wildcats in the Region 1-4A semis.
The Vikings were unable to captalize on a 2-0 entering the bottom of the fourth and a patient eye that led to 10 walks and a hit by pitch. Baker County, meanwhile, erupted for five runs and outhit Fort Walton Beach 8-5.
The Vikings had won 11 straight, improving to 15-12 despite a 2-10 start. Baker County improves to 24-2 with a region championship date at 26-3 Columbia.
This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Fort Walton Beach softball falls in FHSAA region semifinals
Reporting by Seth Stringer, Northwest Florida Daily News / Northwest Florida Daily News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
