Penn came just short of reaching state.

The Kingsmen lost 7-6 in the Semi-State Championship to Kokomo, seeing their fabulous season come to an end.

Penn took an early 3-1 lead when Adam Auter singled to left field and drove in two runs.

Kokomo responded in the 4th. Andrew Quinnette blasted a 3-run home run to give Kokomo the lead 4-3. Kokomo added 3 more in the 5th to push their lead to 7-3.

Penn made a comeback in the 6th, scoring 3 runs to pull within 7-6, but Auter would strikeout with 2 on and 2 out in the 7th to give Kokomo the win.

Penn jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the 1st game of the 4A Semi-State round, and thats all pitcher Brian VanDuyn needed en route to a 9-2 win over Crown Point on Saturday.

With the win, Penn advances to the Semi-State championship tonight at 8PM at the cove. A victory tonight would put them into next weekend's state Championship.

VanDuyn pitched a complete game, giving up two runs on 7 hits. The victory is his 8th straight, improving his record to 9-3 on the year. He has given up just 3 runs in his last two games, both complete game efforts.

Earlier this season, Crown Point romped Penn 11-1.