By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor

The resilient Harmony Lady Longhorns softball team overcame six errors, 21 strikeouts and the ejection of Coach Ralph King to beat Dade City Pasco High, 4-3, in nine innings Tuesday for the 4A Region 2 championship and a berth at the Class 4A state softball tournament.

It’s Harmony’s first-ever state tournament appearance.

Brittany Bruns hit a home run in the second inning, drove in another run with a sacrifice fly and scored the winning run on an infield error after singling to lead off the ninth inning.

Pitcher Lauren Harris, who visited the doctor because of abdominal pain Tuesday, arrived at the game at Pasco High, 25-7, just one hour before the opening pitch and threw six innings of scoreless relief to earn the victory.

King was ejected after his team pulled off a bizarre triple play in the fifth inning while trailing, 3-1. Under Florida High School Athletic Association rules, he likely will not be allowed to coach the team at the state tournament, which begins Monday at the National Triathlon Training Center in Clermont. King said Tuesday that he will appeal his ejection.

Harmony, 21-7, will play Bradenton Braden River, 26-3, Monday at 2 p.m. Eau Gallie will play Jacksonville Bartram Trail in the other state semifinal game at noon. Those winners will meet for the championship at 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Bartram Trail is the No. 1 team in Class 4A  according to the Miracle Sports poll. Eau Gallie is No. 3, Braden River is No. 4 and Harmony is No. 5.