The Gainesville Hurricanes knew they were in for a big-time pitchers’ duel in Tuesday’s 5A Region 2 Semifinal against Springstead (Spring Hill).

The Hurricanes’ softball team needed just one run, and they got it in the sixth inning, as Gainesville slipped past the Eagles, 1-0, to advance to their second consecutive region final.

Last year’s 5A state runner-up Gainesville (17-7) will travel to No. 1 seed Winter Springs on Thursday night, with the winner advancing to the 5A state semifinals on May 22 at Boombah-Soldiers Creek Park in Longwood.

On Tuesday night, senior McKenna O’Sullivan and Springstead sophomore Alivia Miller matched zeroes most of the game.

Miller no-hit the Hurricanes through the first five innings, allowing only a two-out walk to Josie Kirwan in the third inning.

But O’Sullivan matched Miller in the circle, allowing only one baserunner through four innings, a one-out single in the second to Miller.

“I told the team the entire game I was proud about how they approached their at-bats,” Gainesville coach Chris Chronister said. “I think it paid off at the end, having seen her a couple of times through the lineup.”

Sophomore Leanna Bourdage took over in the circle for Gainesville in the top of the fifth and was basically unhittable. She struck out eight of the nine Springstead (15-9) batters she faced, with the final out of the game coming on an infield pop-up to first base.

“McKenna was pitching great, there really was no reason to take her out when I did,” Chronister said. “Except for the fact that we also have Leanna, and it changed it up, just like we talked about with their pitcher.”

Gainesville finally broke through in the bottom of the sixth inning. With two outs, Bourdage singled to right for the first Hurricanes hit of the game. After stealing second, O’Sullivan singled to left to drive in Bourdage for the only run of the game.

“I knew the minute I got up there in the sixth, technically we are down in the game,” Bourdage said. “So, I need to get on base, and I know once I did, I would be stealing second.”

Those back-to-back hits were the only two of the game for Gainesville.

Gainesville now hits the road for the region final on Friday. This team is familiar with road challenges and success after winning 2-0 at Deltona two weeks ago in the district final.

“We do have to go on the road, but last year we had to go on the road a couple of times, and it worked out,” Chronister said. “They (Winter Springs) are a good team, and we will have to play our best.”  

FHSAA Softball state playoffs

(Teams in the Mainstreet coverage area in bold)

Tuesday, May 13

Class Rural-Region 3 Final

2 Branford 13, 1 Madison County 1

Class Rural-Region 4 Final

1 Trenton 2, 2 Williston 1

Class 3A-Region 1 Semifinals

2 Paxon (Jacksonville) 5, 6 Suwannee (Live Oak) 4

Class 4A-Region 1 Quarterfinals

2 Fort Walton Beach 4, 3 Columbia (Lake City) 3

Class 5A-Region 2 Quarterfinals

3 Gainesville 1, 7 Springstead (Spring Hill) 0