Friday: Bayside, Viera head to state semifinals in softball

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Bayside High earned a spot in the state semifinal round for Class 5A softball final on Friday with a 6-4 win at Auburndale.

Viera followed later in the evening with a win at Tampa Durant in Class 6A, 5-0. The Hawks will play Winter Springs in Clermont on May 21. Bayside will play Ft. Myers on Thursday.

The Bears jumped out to a four-run lead in the first inning, boosted by a three-run home run from Aly Walters. Brooke Mahaney started the scoring with a triple, driving in Carys Platt. Mahaney scored with Amonty Johnson when Walters homered.

Mahaney hit her own homer in the fifth, pushing the Bears' margin to the final difference.

Meanwhile, Syd Palmer pitched a complete game for the win.

As for the Hawks, they have not given up a run since losing to Melbourne in the district championship game on April 29. Viera has outscored its opponents 11-0, and pitcher Skylar Waggoner struck out eight on Friday.

The team improved to 17-6 with the win at Durant.

Contact McCallum at 321-242-3698 or bmccallum@floridatoday.com. Follow @321preps on Twitter and Instagram. Be sure to subscribe to FLORIDA TODAY.