After a truly emotional and gut-wrenching 5-4 victory over rival Adams Central Tuesday, the South Adams Starfires built a lead in the first inning and never looked back, beating Bluffton 9-3 to advance to Saturday morning’s sectional championship game against Bishop Luers.
The Starfires were able to rest their ace, Addie Baker, in favor of Gracy Bixler and she was outstanding, allowing just one earned run in six innings of work. Baker was brought in to finish the game in the seventh and she threw a scoreless innings.
Kenzie Neuenschwander homered for the Starfires and also singled, while Shea Alberson tallied three hits in the win.
Sophia Schwartz had two hits and drove in three runs.
Mady Sonnigsen pitched for Bluffton, giving up seven earned runs and striking out three. She homered off Bixler and added a single.
Fans of the Starfires can hear Saturday’s championship game from Berne on WZBD’s YouTube channel as they take on the Knights for a chance to play in Tuesday’s regional. The Starfires would host that Tuesday game if they win.
