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TAMPA, Fla.- Freshman pitcher Avery Powers was phenomenal inside the pitching circle, leading the Berkeley Prep Lady Buccaneers (25-2) past the McKeel Academy Lady Wildcats (10-16) 5-1 in the FHSAA Class 3A, Region 3 softball quarterfinals on Wednesday night at Pisano Field.

Powers had 14 strikeouts - the last three of which came in the top of the seventh when she struck out the side to end the game.

“Hannah (Church) called a great game and my defense behind me was there when I needed them the most.” Powers said.

Powers and McKeel Academy starter Annalyse Torres engaged in a pitchers' duel through the first 4 1/2 innings as no runs were scored.

The scoring started in the bottom of the fifth inning when freshman Holland Poe roped a two-run single to give the Lady Buccaneers a 2-0 lead. The Bucs added on as Torres walked Powers and sophomore Gracie Murphy back-to-back with the bases loaded to give Berkeley Prep a 4-0 lead.

After a pitching change, freshman Emma Skipper gave up an RBI single to eighth grader Paige Quinn that extended the Buccaneers lead to 5-0.

In the top of the sixth inning, McKeel Academy put runners on first and second base with one out. But Powers escaped the jam by striking out the next two batters to keep the Lady Wildcats off the scoreboard.

Sophomore Kyndal Cornelius hit a two-out solo home run in the seventh inning for McKeel Academy's only run of the game.

The Lady Buccaneers will host Academy of the Holy Names in the Class 3A, Region 3 softball semifinals on Tuesday night. Academy of the Holy Names defeated Bishop Verot 6-5 on Wednesday.

“It feels amazing to keep our season going … We have such a great young core that this team is destined for a deep playoff run,” Berkeley Prep head coach Dayna Crawford said after the game.

“Avery (Powers) is a stud and to see her excel on this stage as a freshman makes her even more special.” Crawford said.

With the loss, McKeel Academy finishes their season with a 10-16 record.