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SOUTHMONT SOFTBALL SECTIONAL FINAL: Brewer blasts grand slam, Schmitz walks off to break Wildcats' five-time sectional streak
NEW MARKET The North Putnam Cougar softball team struggled at the plate for five innings, but that is why they play seven.
Kyndal Brewer hit a grand slam in the sixth to give the Cougars their first lead. When South Vermillion retook the lead in the top of the seventh, Hailee Daigle drove in one and Brilye Schmitz would walk it off with a single to give the Cougars the IHSAA Softball Class 2A Sectional No. 44 championship 7-6.
The game would be an emotional roller coaster for the Cougars. On the first pitch of the game, Wildcat leadoff hitter Kenley Minor drove one over the fence for a quick 1-0 lead.
North would tie it up in the bottom half. Schmitz doubled, Emma Williams was intentionally walked, the first of three times in the game, and Kylie Rust also drew a walk to load the bases. Karyssa Miller was hit by a pitch to bring in Schmitz. The rally would stall there with the game tied at 1-1.
The Wildcats picked up two runs in the second. Minor picked up her second RBI on a groundout and Kalli Crouch doubled to bring in the second run, giving South Vermillion a 3-1 advantage. The game stayed that way until the fourth, when Minor drove in her third run of the game on a single to give the Wildcats a little cushion at 4-1.
South Vermillion pitcher Adyson Smith kept the Cougars at bay, holding them to just two hits over five innings. Smith walked five batters in that stretch and also hit a pair of batters, but North could not come up with a clutch hit.
Brewer, meanwhile, settled in for the Cougars in the circle, not letting the Wildcats run away with a pair of 1-2-3 innings in the fifth and sixth.
The tide changed in the bottom of the sixth. Lexi Daigle singled, Ashlynn Stacks walked and Schmitz reached on an error to load the bases.
Brewer came to the plate and the senior delivered, rocketing a shot against the wind over the right center field fence. All of a sudden North Putnam led 5-4 going to the seventh.
The 21-win Wildcats had no plans to go quietly. Brooklyn Gossett singled and, after two ground outs advanced her to third, the Cougars intentionally walked Hannah Boardman, which brought up Rayven Wilson. Wilson doubled to the fence, bringing in both runners and giving the Wildcats the lead back 6-5.
With the season on the line, Bailee Pride doubled down the right field line. Hailee Daigle singled between the pitcher and third base to bring in Pride and it was tied again at 6-6 as the bottom of the lineup came through.
Stacks drew a walk to bring up Schmitz, who laced a single to bring in Daigle and the celebration was on as the Cougars were now sectional champs.
The girls really saved me tonight. We played great defense, which you have to against a team like (South Vermillion). The bottom of the order came through and what great moments for Brewer and Schmitz, said Cougar coach Kerry Roussey.
The season will continue next week as they face the winner of Covenant Christian and Cascade for the regional crown. Brewer drove in four with the grand slam and Schmitz had three of the seven Cougar hits. Brewer picked up the win on the mound, giving up eight hits and striking out two.
South Vermillion 120 100 2 6 8 3
North Putnam 100 004 2 7 7 0
Batting (NP) Schmitz 3-5, Brewer 1-4, Pride 1-4, L. Daigle 1-4, H. Daigle 1-4; (SV) Minor 2-4, Crouch 2-4, Wilson 1-3, Crim 1-3, Travioli 1-3, Gossett 1-2
RBI (NP) Brewer 4, Schmitz, Miller, H. Daigle; (SV) Minor 3, Wilson 2, Crouch 1
2B (NP) Schmitz; (SV) Crouch, Wilson
HR (NP) Brewer ; (SV) Minor
SB (NP) L. Daigle, H. Daigle; (SV) Minor
LOB (NP) 9; (SV) 3
WP Brewer 7IP 8H 3BB 2K 6R 6ER
LP Smith 6 2/3IP 7H 6BB 9K 7R 6ER