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When it started, it looked bad for the Cyclones. When it ended, it looked messy. SHG rallies from a 3 run, first inning deficit to down Highland 7-3 and claim a spot in the 3A softball state finals.
The Bulldogs were the aggressor early, stringing together a walk and four consecutive hits as they grabbed a 3-0 lead on Whitney David and the Cycs.
SHG wouldn't panic. Ashton Dyche singled home a run in the top of the 3rd to make it a 3-1 game. Then in the 5th, the Cyclones would really start to take advantage of Highland mistakes. Bree Derhake hit a grounder that got through the Bulldogs shortstop and past the left fielder. That would allow Katie McLean to score and make it a 3-2 game.
More of the same in the 6th inning. Makenna Butcher led off the frame with a single and advanced to second on a throwing error. Katie Weller would follow that up with a flyball right. Courtesy runner Becca Sauer would take off for 3rd and the throw from the right fielder would be wild, allowing her to score and tie the game at 3-3.
Then in the 7th, SHG would explode. McLean tripled to lead off the inning, two batters later it was Dyche collecting her 3rd hit of the game to score her and give the Cyclones their first lead of the game. They would tack on three more runs to make it a 4-run game.
David would work around a lead off run in the 7th as Kenzie Trees caught the final out on a fly ball to left and the celebration was on.
SHG will be making their first trip to the state finals in school history. David picked up the win, allowing 8 hits and 2 earned runs, while striking out 3. Dyche was 3 for 4 with 2 RBI, while McLean and Butcher each had a pair of basehits.
The Cyclones (33-6) will face Washington in a semi-final on Friday at 12:30pm at the EastSide Centre in Peoria.
