[Stardust]

With just three seniors on the roster, Ballard High School softball coach Alan Jones has one of the youngest teams he’s ever had at the school.But the baby Bruins gutted out another victory Monday night to keep their season alive.
Jessica Adell’s single over third base scored Madison Wise in the ninth inning to give defending regional champion Ballard a 2-1 victory over Male in a Seventh Region Tournament quarterfinal at Southern.
“When you’re playing teams like (Male), you’re going to need some luck to keep going,” Jones said. “Our girls gave 120 percent and showed how tough they are mentally.”
Ballard (33-4-1), ranked No. 2 in the state, advanced to face Assumption in Wednesday’s semifinals at the University of Louisville’s Ulmer Stadium. Game times for the semifinals have been moved to accommodate Ballard’s graduation, with the Eastern-Mercy game now set for 6:30 p.m. and Ballard-Assumption at 9 p.m.
Ballard took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the sixth Monday, but No. 12 Male (25-12-1) answered with a run in the seventh to stay alive.
In the ninth, Ballard’s Wise bunted to Male pitcher Alex Miozza, whose throw went into right field and allowed Wise to move to third base. Adell followed with the game-winning single.
Adell, a sophomore who already has committed to Tennessee, also was tough on the mound. She allowed five hits and struck out five.
Miozza gave up four hits and struck out three.
“She pitched a great game,” Male coach John Hammond said. “Her off-speed stuff was off just a little bit, but everything else was working well. … She’s just a junior, and she’ll be something to be reckoned with next year for sure.”http://saxo.highschoolsports.net/article...ll?Avis=B2