Sports

Lady Vikings punch ticket to Final Four with extra-inning thriller

Fort Walton Beach softball edged Arnold 4-3 in extra innings Thursday, securing their spot in the state Final Four.

Jared Williams

The Fort Walton Beach varsity softball team is headed to the Final Four after defeating Arnold (Panama City Beach) 4-3 in eight innings Thursday in the regional finals of the 2025 FHSAA Softball State Championships.

The Lady Vikings (21-8) jumped out to an early lead with three runs in the first inning before Arnold battled back to tie the game, forcing extra innings. Fort Walton Beach delivered the final blow in the bottom of the eighth inning to secure the victory.

Junior Hannah Isham led the Fort Walton Beach offense, going 3-for-5 with a home run and two RBIs. Junior pitcher Rilyn Douglas contributed significantly with a home run and two RBIs of her own while pitching all eight innings to earn the win.

Junior Anna Abernathy contributed to the winning effort with a double, while the Fort Walton Beach defense was anchored by sophomore Anna Beyhl, who recorded 12 putouts.

Arnold (19-9) threatened throughout the game, collecting eight hits and tying the score with runs in the fourth and fifth innings, but the Lady Vikings’ defense remained strong, committing no errors while turning a double play in a critical situation.

The Lady Vikings now advance to the Final Four of the Class 4A state tournament, continuing their impressive postseason. The semifinal matchup details will be announced soon as Fort Walton Beach continues its quest for a state championship.

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