Cabell Midland is headed back to the state tournament, but not without late-game drama.

The defending Class AAAA state champions survived a back-and-forth battle with Hurricane, walking it off in the bottom of the seventh inning for a 7-6 victory in the South Region co-final.

With the bases loaded and one out in a 6-6 game, Karlee Salmons delivered the game-winning hit to score Charlie Adkins and send the Knights back to South Charleston.

Cabell Midland built leads of 1-0, 4-2, and 6-4, but Hurricane refused to go away. Down to their final out in the seventh, Kiley Jones blasted a two-run home run to tie the game at 6 and force a dramatic finish.

The Knights responded in the bottom half, with Salmons’ second hit of the game sealing the win.

Drea Watts struck out eleven in a complete game effort for Cabell Midland, while Kate Justice fanned six for Hurricane. The Knights outhit the Redskins 12-7, led by Becca Conrad’s three-hit performance. Kalissa Hess and Kenzie Kessell each added two hits.

Cabell Midland (24-2) clinches a spot in the Class AAAA State Tournament, while Hurricane will look to bounce back in an elimination game later this week.