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LEAVITTSBURG -- Whenever the Champion softball players hear legendary coach Cheryl Weaver utter those magical words, "we're going to Dairy Queen," it can only mean one thing. The Golden Flashes won another ballgame.
This time, it was after third-seeded Champion (19-7) came from behind to defeat fourth-seeded Gilmour Academy, 11-8, on Tuesday in the Division III district semifinals at LaBrae High School.
"We fell behind, but the girls hung in there," Weaver said. "That's what you need at this stage in the game because each game just gets harder and harder from here. If you can handle what was going on today, you can handle anything."
What was going on was the fact that Champion trailed 4-1 in the bottom of the third inning. They quickly turned the game around and seemingly put it out of reach as the Golden Flashes exploded for seven runs to take an 8-4 advantage.
Senior Emma Gumont drove in two runs by blasting a double to left field. Tayler Fuller had a RBI single. Abigail Meadors also had a RBI single, but the lead was short-lived.
Gumont got into trouble on the mound in the top of the fourth. Gilmour loaded the bases, and with two outs, Megan Mlinaric sent a grand slam over the center field wall to tie it up 8-8.
"For that to tie it up, it was like, 'Oh no,' " Gumont said. "But, I knew we could come back because we have good bats. We have faith in each other. That's what got us the win today."
Gumont put Champion back on top with a bloop hit over second base. Freshman shortstop Bella Meyer helped the Flashes with a two-run single.
"Bella is a stud," Weaver said. "She's a fabulous shortstop. I truly believe she is the future of Champion softball."
The present includes senior Cassidy Shaffer, who knocked in two runs with a double.
"We played well as a team," Shaffer said. " Everyone was talking. So, I knew we would come back."
The Flashes will play second-seeded South Range (26-3) for the Division III district title on Thursday.
"At this stage, you lose and you're done," Weaver said. "Gilmour was a good hitting team. We played larger schools again this year. I like the girls seeing how the big schools play the game. We'll pull out anything to advance."