Bryan used a three-run fifth inning to rally past Lake, 3-2, on Friday and capture the Regional Championship.
Trailing 2-0, the Golden Bears mounted their comeback in the bottom of the fifth inning. Emaline Slagle got Bryan on the board with an RBI single down the left-field line, followed by an RBI single from Amiyah Langham to tie the game. Josey Arnold then delivered the decisive blow, lining a single to center field to score the go-ahead run.
Bryan’s offense was backed by another dominant pitching performance from senior ace Thea Staten. Staten tossed a complete game, allowing just three hits and two runs while striking out 16 to keep Lake’s offense in check.
The Golden Bears collected five hits on the day, with Averyann Fisher, Slagle, Reese Ruffer, Langham, and Arnold each recording one hit. Slagle, Langham, and Arnold drove in Bryan’s three runs.
The victory crowned Bryan as Regional Champions and punched the Golden Bears’ ticket to the state tournament.