PIEDMONT -- Greenville's Jaden Francis was determined to not let the district semifinal be the last game of her high school career.
The Lady Bears committed two errors in the top of the first inning and gave up four runs before steadily rallying for an 11-9 win in the MSHSAA Class 1 District 5 semifinals Tuesday in Piedmont.
"We've got a senior who was bound and determined that this was not going to be her last game. So she stepped up and she just let them know, it is just four runs and it is by no means over. You need to get your heads up and keep playing the game." Greenville coach Olivia O'Dell said. "I think we finally started not stranding as many runners for one thing. We were able to put up a few runs and I think that helped them have a little bit more confidence and also helped on the defensive end."
Francis, Greenville's only senior, reached base in every at bat, scored three times and finished 2 for 2 with a walk and two RBIs. She was hit by a pitch in the bottom of the sixth inning with the bases loaded to put Greenville ahead 10-8.
McKenzie Miller followed with a sacrifice fly to center field to score Zaalilyah Luke, who was also hit by a pitch.
Woodland, though, had the tying run on second base with two outs, but Francis got a popup to short to get the win.
Greenville committed seven errors as Francis allowed eight hits, and three walks with one strikeout. In the only inning where the Bears didn't commit an error, the third, they retired the side.
"We've had injuries and just small numbers and we've got people in places that maybe they are not best suited for, but right now we don't have any other options," O'Dell said "We've got to clean up our defense before (the championship) or it will not end well.
The Greenville coach is down to nine players for the district championship against Clearwater.
"On our end, a lot of the runs we let them score were not due to hits. We had several errors."
Despite being down four runs before taking their fist at bats, Greenville was back within a run by the end of the second inning.
Miller walked and scored in the first and then Greenville batted around in the second, scoring three runs.
Brooklyn Casinger led off the inning with a walk and Luke connected for an RBI double, rolling things over to the top of the lineup.
With two outs, Francis, Miller and Beth Bangert had three consecutive singles to cut the lead to 5-4 and load the bases, as well.
Woodland, though, got a popup to second to preserve the lead.
Both teams scored two runs in the fourth inning, with Francis scored her second runs in the frame, and Greenville took its first lead in the fifth after the first five batters reached base.
Woodland helped with a hit batter, two walks and two errors to start the inning.
Luke tied the game on an error and Tristan Porter, who reached on a walk, scored to take the lead before Francis scored her third run of the game.