3A: Eagles outlast opponents

AURORA - It has been four years since the Faith Christian softball team had advanced as far as the semifinals of the Class 3A state tournament, so the Eagles were willing to put in some extra time Friday at the Aurora Sports Complex to earn another trip. Faith Christian (18-5), the fifth seed in the 16-team field, won two extra-inning games to reach the final four for the first time since 2002. The Eagles will take on six-time defending champion and top-seeded Erie (18-5) in one semifinal at 10 a.

m. today. Second-seeded Limon (22-1) will battle Holy Family (20-3) in the other for a berth in the 1 p.

m. championship game. "It's very exciting.

It's something we haven't experienced in a while," Faith Christian catcher Amilia Stephens said. "This just shows that we might let down for a second, but we'll keep fighting even harder." After edging La Junta 3-2 in 11 innings in the first round, the Eagles looked as if they would cruise into the semifinals.

The Meloneers scratched out four runs, though, before Faith Christian recorded the third out, sending the game to extra innings. The Eagles responded by plating four runs in the top of the eighth to retake control. Hannah Kaker had the big hit, a two-out double down the left field line to push the lead to 8-4.

"I think the (seventh-inning comeback) did take a lot out of us," Rocky Ford coach Mark Lowther said. "We were one hit away from winning it, and before that inning we were in a lot of trouble. Just for the girls to battle back like that, I'm proud of them.

" The Eagles had to find some late-inning magic of their own to send the game against La Junta into extra innings. La Junta took a 2-1 lead in the top of the seventh on an RBI from Shelby Walker, only to see Faith Christian tie it with a two-out RBI double by Glory Benson. The Eagles won it in the 11th after Hannah Kaker singled up the middle to score Stephens.

"They do not ever give up," Faith Christian coach Tim Griego said. "They've been very focused throughout the year and their effort has just improved with every game." Meanwhile, Erie rolled through its two games to run its record-setting, state winning streak to 26.

The Tigers pounded St. Mary's 13-3 in the first round and then beat Strasburg 13-1 in the quarterfinals. Axie Estrada, Peggy Nichols and Megan Parker each had three RBI in the win against St.

Mary's, while Ashlie Ortega drove in three in the victory against Strasburg. Holy Family, which Erie beat in the championship game last season, advanced after two great pitching performances from senior Sara Baumberger. In a 9-3 first-round win against Cheyenne Wells, Baumberger struck out 10 and had a shutout through five innings.

In a 3-0 quarterfinal victory against Middle Park, Baumberger was even better. She surrendered only two hits and struck out 13. "We just need to keep the momentum going," Baumberger said.

"Getting back here has been our goal since last year. We just want to come out and show what we can do." Dutton struck out the first nine Burlington batters she faced and retired the side in order in four of the seven innings.