A potential playoff preview lived up to its billing on Thursday night, with Springstead squeaking out a 3-1 victory over Belleview.
Springstead once again relied on the power arm of Player of the Game Kama Woodall. The Eagles ace struck out eight Rattlers and allowed only four hits to improve to 14-3 this season and earn her 77th career win.
In the bottom of the third, the Eagles got on the board with an Abby Oliver single that scored Jenna Ryan. Woodall added what would eventually be the game-winning RBI later in the inning to score Oliver.
Belleview threated in the top of the 5th. Back-to-back singles by Colleen Nohr and Kaitlyn Bennett put two runners on base for freshman Briana Robinson, who came through with a bloop single to left field. However, the Eagles added an insurance run in the bottom of the 5th on an Oliver double and Woodall held the Rattlers to just one hit over the final two innings.
Two of the top six teams in the state in Class 6A could meet again in the Region 2 bracket in less than a month, depending on the outcomes of their upcoming district tournaments.
The Eagles improve to 19-3 and host county rival Nature Coast next week. The Rattlers (19-4) will look to bounce back next week in the Marion County tournament.