Fort Frye’s Ella Dowler makes a diving catch in center field during the Cadets’ district final matchup with Garaway Friday at Buckeye Trail. (Photo by Beth Smith)

LORE CITY — With the district championship up for grabs Friday at Buckeye Trail High School, Fort Frye came up just short in a 2-1 loss to Garaway.

Krista Miller and Keaton Yoder each drove in runs for the Pirates, who advanced to the Sweet 16, while Audrey Miller pitched a complete game, allowing one run, one walk and two hits and recording 12 strikeouts.

Elle Casto was strong in the circle for Fort Frye, pitching all six innings while allowing two unearned runs. She finished with two strikeouts and no walks.

Yoder’s single in the second plated Nadia Pope and the Pirates added another in the frame to make it 2-0 early.

However, the Cadets answered the next half-inning when Jaden Cox clubbed a solo home run to right field to cut it to a one-run deficit and give the Twin State League champions new life.

Fort Frye’s Jaden Cox celebrates with teammates after hitting a game-tying home run during the Cadets’ district final matchup with Garaway Friday at Buckeye Trail. (Photo by Beth Smith)

Garaway, though, which got a game-high two hits from Jaylene Jimenez, would not allow another run.

Emmie Duskey singled with two outs in the seventh to provide some hope for FFHS, but Audrey Miller punched out the final batter to end it.

Under the direction of head coach Brian Duskey, the Cadets finished 13-8 this season.

Fort Frye’s Jaden Cox celebrates while rounding the bases after hitting a game-tying home run during the Cadets’ district final matchup with Garaway Friday at Buckeye Trail. (Photo by Beth Smith)