A throwing error by the opponent in the bottom of the seventh inning allowed the winning run to score as the Eagles defeated Somerset Academy 8-7 in a back and forth semifinal round of the 2024 Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Class 3A state tournament.

The game saw five lead changes and three ties before MVA eventually walked it off in the final inning of play.

With the game tied 7-7 heading into the bottom of the seventh, Jenna Meder led off the frame with a single to shortstop. Luna Taboas then ripped a single into center field, moving Meder to second. The next batter, Ari Jimenez, placed down a bunt. The Stallions' pitcher elected to throw to third to get the lead runner, but the throw went haywire allowing Meder to score the winning run.

The Eagles' game winner was the fourth time MVA retook the lead as the game was a back and forth affair from the outset.

Somerset Academy took the initial lead with a run in the top half of the first inning.

The Eagles scored three in the bottom half to jump ahead 3-1. Taboas, who led off the inning with a single, scored from third on a double steal. Then a line drive single by Danika Spinogatti scored Ari Jimenez to make the score 2-1. A double by Elena Friedman followed which scored Leila Susaia to put the Eagles ahead 3-1.

But three runs by the Stallions put them back up 4-3 in the top of the second. 

MVA scored in the bottom half of the second to make the score 4-4 after two. The Eagles scored the run when Taboas scored from second after a flyout by Susaia. Jimenez was on first and drew an inning ending tag after Taboas rounded third and scored the run.

Somerset Academy went back ahead 5-4 with a run in the top of the fourth inning, before MVA scored twice in the bottom half to back ahead 6-5. An RBI single by Jimenez scored Meder to tie the game. Taboas scored on a sacrifice fly later in the inning to put MVA back up.

Then in the top of the sixth, the Stallions scored a run to tie the score at six.

MVA went back up 7-6 in the bottom of the sixth after a bases-loaded walk by La'Breah Sands scored Susaia from third.

Somerset Academy scored in the top of the seventh to tie the game one more time, before the Eagles' scored the walk-off run in the bottom half to win it.

MVA pounded out 16 hits in the win. Taboas and Jimenez were both 4-for-5 in the win. Taboas scored three times, while Jimenez had a pair of runs batted in. Spinogatti was 2-for-2 and walked twice. Meder went 2-for-4 with a double and Sands was 2-for-3 with a double.

Nevaeh Williams earned the win in relief after originally starting. She pitched the first inning and the final 2 ⅔ in relief. She allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits and struck out two. Meanwhile Sands pitched 4 ⅓ innings in relief and allowed three runs on three hits and struck out six.

The win was redemption of sorts for the Eagles who lost to the Mustangs in the state semifinal round last year.

The Eagles will be playing in the state championship game for the first time since 2018. MVA will play either Baldwin High School or Calvary Christian on Wednesday at 7:00 pm for the 2024 FHSAA state championship.