EUSTIS, Fla. — In front of a packed home crowd at the Eustis High Softball Den, junior pitcher Carson Roden delivered a performance for the ages Tuesday night, throwing a no-hitter and striking out 10 to lead defending state champion Eustis to a 12-4 victory over Crystal River in the FHSAA Class 4A Regional Final.

With the win, the Panthers punch their ticket back to the state semifinals, which will be held May 21 at Soldiers Creek Park in Longwood.

Backed by an electric atmosphere and early offensive fireworks, Eustis (22-4) jumped out to a 4-0 lead thanks to timely hitting from Adrianna Covino, who drove in multiple runs in the opening frames.

(Freshman catcher Ella Fleming had one of the best nights of her career last evening helping Eustis at the plate and assisting in the No Hitter.)

But the game took a dramatic turn in the fourth inning. A pair of walks issued by Roden gave Crystal River life, and a series of missteps led to a surprising 4-4 tie. For a moment, it looked as though the visiting Pirates might spoil Eustis’ repeat bid.

That’s when Roden slammed the door shut.

“I just had to focus and trust my team,” Roden said. “After that fourth inning, I knew I had to lock in, and we all stepped up together.”

Roden retired the final nine batters she faced, never allowing a hit across seven innings of work in what was one of the most dominant playoff performances in recent Eustis memory.

(Brooklyn Powhida has had a great season and is among the fastest players in the state.)

Her teammates responded as well. In the bottom of the fifth, Emmy Luke ripped a clutch RBI double to reclaim the lead. Catcher Ella Fleming showed why she’s regarded as one of the top backstops in the nation, going 2-for-4 with 4 RBIs, a triple, and two runs scored. Kendall Kemp also delivered a huge night, finishing 3-for-4 with a double, a home run, 3 RBIs and two runs scored.

The Panthers’ offensive outburst didn’t stop there. Skylar Scott, Dalilah Taylor, Chloe Zimmerman, Brooklyn Powhida and Brooklynn Mason all crossed the plate in a well-rounded offensive effort.

For senior Kaylen Bublitz, it was a bittersweet evening. A member of last year’s championship squad, Bublitz took her final at-bats at home, drawing big roars from her teammates and the crowd every time she got up to bat.

When the final out was made, the Panthers stormed the field in celebration. Brooklyn Powhida summed it up best as she shouted, “We are going to the state semifinals!!”

Coach Bowers beamed with pride after the game and actually showcased her speed running away from a gatorade bath and running right out of the complex in the outfield. It took a few moments but a splash was heard behind the outfield wall. When coach Bowers returned she was soaked with gatorade! It’s only fitting that her first Regional Championship as head coach ended with a Gatorade shower. Well done coach!

“I am so proud of the girls,” Bowers said. “We work them really hard in practice and they’ve played hard the entire season. It worked out tonight.”

Asked about her team’s response to adversity after the game was tied 4-4 into the 5th inning, Bowers emphasized preparation and poise.

“That was a wake-up call. But we practice for those moments,” she said. “If these girls play our game and take it one bat at a time like we do in practice, we’ll be just fine. It’s about how we come together down the stretch as a team.”

Eustis will face either Wakulla, Dunedin or Somerset Academy in the state semifinal on May 21, with game time set for either 10 a.m. or 12 noon. The state tournament will take place at Bombay-Soldiers Creek Park, located near Sanford International Airport. Keep an eye out for the time and team.

Fans are encouraged to make plans to attend and support the Panthers as they continue their quest for back-to-back state titles.