The Zion Chapel Lady Rebels are just one win away from claiming the first state softball championship in school history after beating the Pike Liberal Arts Lady Patriots by a score of 13-2 in game one of the Class 2A State Championship series on Monday in Oxford. 

This is the third time Pike and Zion Chapel have met in the postseason. Pike Lib defeated Zion Chapel in the Area Championship and then also beat the Lady Rebels in the Region Finals last week. A huge sixth and seventh inning, though, guided the Lady Rebs past the Lady Pats during the state tournament.  

The two sides were tied 2-2 going into the sixth inning when Zion Chapel exploded to score 11 runs over the final two innings, while holding PLAS to zero runs during that stretch. Shea Wambles led ZCHS at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a triple, one RBI and one run, while Riley Bannin went 2-for-4 with two doubles, two RBIs and two runs. Aubrey Bassett drove in three runs and scored two runs, while Sydney Boothe drove in two runs and Karli Kidd scored three runs. Emily Rhodes scored one run. 

Bannin pitched all seven innings and struck out 10 batters, while giving up seven hits and two earned runs. Bannin has struck out 25 batters over 15 innings and holds a 1.86 ERA during the state tournament. Landry Hataway earned three putouts and one assist on defense. 

For Pike, Allie Booth went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Sarah Strickland drove in one run, while Camryn Brown and Julianne Meyer scored one run each. Alissa Barron pitched six innings and fanned four batters, while giving up nine hits and four earned runs.

Pike Lib now moves down to the finals of the elimination bracket on May 13 at 10:45 a.m. The Lady Patriots will play the winner of Pisgah vs. Belgreen in the elimination bracket finals. The winner of that game will advance to game two of the state championship at 1:30 p.m. on May 13. Zion Chapel will need just one win to claim the state championship, while whoever they play will have to beat the Lady Rebels twice to win the title.