The Lady Conchs kept their dreams of a state title alive with a resounding 7-1 win over the Cougars of Barron Collier High School on May 7. Key West, ranked third regionally, picked off the sixth-ranked Cougars in The Backyard to advance to the next round of play.
The game was tied at zero until the fourth frame, when Key West broke things open with a Shylo Sanchez solo homer to center field. Then with two outs, the Conchs put together a rally of three more hits, a walk and a Barron Collier error to tack on three more to head into the top of the fifth with a 4-0 lead.
At their next at-bat, Key West added two on a Skye Sterling homer sent sailing into center field. The lead was plenty to keep the Cougars at bay, and at the end of the final frame, Key West had earned a spot in FHSAA’s 4A Sweet 16…