SOUTHLAKE — Finley Montgomery tied the school record she owns with her 27th victory of the season to lead Denton Guyer to a 4-1 victory over Keller in the opener of a best-of-3 Class 6A Division II regional semifinal series Wednesday evening at Lady Dragon Field.

Montgomery struck out 11 and limited Keller to three hits, all singles.

“Every year some doubt us,’’ said the Notre Dame signee, who retired Keller’s final 13 batters in order. "Each season is different, but this team always has competitors.’’

“Finley was locked in tonight,’’ said Guyer coach Keith Medford. "Keller is a great team and I knew we had our hands full. We still have work to do, that’s the point I made with the girls after the game.’’

Guyer (33-2), ranked No. 31 nationally by MaxPreps and No. 2 in the Texas Girls Coaches Association 6A-DII state poll, was a state semifinalist the last two years and a state finalist in 2023.

Tradition-rich Keller (26-11-1), No. 1 in the TGCA 6A-DII state poll, is an eight-time state tournament qualifier and a four-time state champion.

Game 2 is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday in Southlake, and if a third game is necessary, it would be played at 6 p.m. Friday at the same site.

The Lady Indians did manage to snap Guyer’s seven-game shutout streak with a third-inning run, the first allowed by Guyer since April 8.

After an intentional walk to Texas Tech recruit Sydona Meiser, Keller cleanup hitter Landry Beaman delivered a two-out RBI single to center to cut the deficit to 2-1. Cambree Cribbs, who had two of Keller's hits, singled with one out, advanced to second on Mackenna Jackson’s bunt and stole third base.

Guyer shortstop Olivia “O.G.'' Green’s base hit to center drove in the game’s first run in the opening inning, and a wild pitch accounted for the second run. Montgomery drew a walk and Madison Joyner singled to start the rally.

An RBI double to right-center by Annaleeia Martinez in the third scored Cali Parham to restore Guyer’s two-run advantage at 3-1.

Montgomery helped her cause with an RBI double off the right field wall in the bottom of the sixth. Chloe O’Brien singled with two out and scored from first for the final run.

O’Brien and Joyner led Guyer with two hits.

The series winner will play for the Region I title against the winner of Trophy Club Byron Nelson and Flower Mound Marcus.

The last time Guyer and Keller met in the playoffs was in the 2024 Region I final series with Guyer prevailing in three games.

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