Softball: Pitching, defense lift Bartow and McKeel in regional semis
Bartow's Ryleigh Knowlton, McKeel's Chloe Lanier turn in pitching gems to lead their teams to victory in regional semifinals.
BARTOW — Bartow scored 13 runs in the first round of the playoffs but the deeper it goes, the more likely the Yellow Jackets are going to have to depend on pitching and defense. That was the case on Wednesday, and Ryleigh Knowlton and her teammates were more than up to the challenge. Knowlton pitched a two-hitter as Bartow defeated Durant, 2-1, in the Class 6A, Region 2 semifinals.
Bartow will play Melbourne in the region finals at 7 p. m. on Thursday at home.
They are the top two seeds in the region. After allowing a home run to the first batter of the game, Knowlton allowed just five batters — one hit, one hit batter and three walks — the rest of the game. She struck out 11.
Regional quarterfinals: McKeel, Lake Wales, Lakeland Christian advance to the regional semis Regional quarterfinals: Bartow turns Lake Howell’s upset bid into blowout win Regional semifinals: Zamirya McBurrows locked in as Lake Wales cruises into region finals with rout Behind Knowlton, her teammates did not make an error. “Our offense has been up and down, but our defense has been really good, like great,” Knowlton said. “I definitely think we improved on, that area.