CENTRALIA, Mo. - The Fatima Lady Comets advanced to the Class 2 Final Four behind two-hit pitching from Leah Kesel in a 9-1 win against Centralia.
Kesel, who hit the game-winning single in Fatima's 8-7 sectional win against Blair Oaks, also had two hits and an RBI in the game.
Makayla Buscher had two hits, including a home run - her second in as many games.
"She's just kind of coming through with that the last few games," Fatima coach Dana Scheppers said. "She has started to hit the ball like we know she can. We're all just peaking at the right time."
Second baseman Christine Brunnert made a tough defensive play with two outs in the first to strand two Centralia runners. The Lady Comets responded by putting up six runs in the top of the second.
"We put the pressure on them," Scheppers said.
Sammey Bunch had two hits and four RBI, and Morgan Brandt chipped in two hits and two RBI. Fatima faces of North Platte on Friday in Springfield. The winner of that game plays the winner of Portageville and Pleasant Hope for the state title on Saturday.
"These girls, they want it," Scheppers said. "They've been working hard all year, and they deserve it."