Caston outduels Durflinger, West Burlington ousts Cardinal

WEST POINT ? Cardinal and West Burlington have had their fair share of battles in recent years, and with all the chips on the table for Monday?s regional semifinal, a pitcher?s duel ensued.

Erin Mickey hit an RBI double in the top of the sixth inning to plate the game?s lone run, and the fifth-ranked Falcons (31-6) escaped with a 1-0 victory and move to within one game of the state tournament. The hit was one of only five allowed by Cardinal starter Felisha Durflinger.

West Burlington stranded three baserunners in the fifth inning before breaking through with Mickey?s two-bagger to the right-center field fence that plated Jamie Johnson from third base.

Durflinger?s counterpart, Kaitlyn Caston, allowed just one hit across the seven-inning shutout performance. Laci Moore picked up the hit for Cardinal, which finishes the season with a 19-15 record.

After Moore?s hit, Caston retired the next 11 Comet batters in order and finished the game with 10 strikeouts.

West Burlington won both regular season matchups with Cardinal on its way to the conference title. The Comets were second in the final SEISC-south division standings with just one other league loss.

West Burlington will play its regional final game against Interstate-35 Wednesday night at the Cardinal High School field in Eldon.