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The Fort Defiance Indians scored six runs in the fourth and fifth innings taking advantage of miscues en route to a 7-4 upset of the Turner Ashby Knights on Thursday night.

It took until the third inning to get the scoring started as both teams went hitless in the first two frames against starters Grant Thomas (TA, 2021) and Donald Seekford (Fort, 2020). Fort would jump to a early 1-0 lead after leadoff hitter Tristan Shoemaker reached base with a 1-out bunt single, stole second, and moved to third on a ground ball to the right side. The next hitter would strike out on a ball in the dirt and the throw to first base went errant, allowing Shoemaker to score instead of the inning being over with. Turner Ashby would respond with a run of their own in the bottom half of the frame after an RBI single from Addison Griffin with two outs. Heading to the top of the fourth, we had a tie ball game at 1 apiece.

Fort would break open the game in the fourth inning with two outs. A two out walk would keep the inning alive for Fort and an infield error put runners at first and second. Evan Sutton then hit a double down the left field line that knocked in one for Fort to take a 2-1 lead. Shoemaker would follow with a double of his own that scored two to make the score 4-1.

Fort again would take advantage of TA miscues in the fifth inning. After back-to-back walks started the inning, Fort would sac bunt to put runners in scoring position. With the infield in, a ground ball would come next and TA failed to tag the runner at the plate, making everyone safe in the inning. After a walk and fly out to right, another error led to two more runs scored for Fort. With the inning complete, Fort Defiance was sitting on a 7-1 lead.

Turner Ashby would be able to put a run on the board in the sixth and two more in the seventh, but that was all they could muster as Fort's Tyler Pullin was able to slam the door shut and  preserve the 7-4 victory.

Shoemaker led the Fort offense going 2-for-4 in the game with two RBI. Sutton had Forts only other hit in the contest.

Griffin led the Knights with a hit and two RBI in the game. Thomas went 1-for-2 with a walk and HBP in the game.

Fort will travel to Brookeville HS in the semifinal matchup with a state tournament berth on the line.