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SOFTBALL SECTIONAL: South Vermillion repeats title over SP
South Putnam didn’t wind up with its goal of a sectional softball championship this year, falling 7-1 to defending champion South Vermillion in the championship game on Thursday evening.
The youthful Eagles are primed for continued success next year and beyond, however, returning all 10 starters (including the “flex” player, six of whom are just freshmen) next season.
Freshman pitcher Brionna Egold shut down the Wildcats over the first two innings, but South Vermillion manufactured a run in the third inning to take the lead for good.
Leadoff hitter Allison Schawitsch (also a freshman) singled, was sacrificed to second and scored on an double by Indiana University signee Hope Grange.
Grange ripped a three-run homer to key a four-run fourth inning and put the Wildcats up 5-0.
South Vermillion kept the pressure on with two more runs in the fifth inning, as Hannah Grange walked and scored on a triple by freshman Hailey Boardman. Boardman scored on an error.
Alex Steffy came on in relief following Boardman’s triple, and shut out the Wildcats the rest of the way.
The Eagles got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth as Bree Mahoney-Sutherland and Chloe Custis singled and Mahoney-Sutherland scored as part of a double steal.
South Vermillion junior pitcher Regan Godfrey kept the Eagles in check for most of the game, as the lefty allowed just five hits and struck out seven batters.
South Putnam loaded the bases in the second inning as Egold reached on a fielder’s choice, Drew Steffy walked and Mahoney-Sutherland walked to load the bases. Godfrey induced an infield out to keep the Eagles off the board.
The Eagles had another good scoring opportunity in the sixth, as Drew Bratcher singled and Alex Steffy reached on an error with no outs. Godfrey retired the next three hitters in order to stop the threat.
The Eagles also got back-to-back singles with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning from Custis and Helen Eaglin, but Godfrey retired the final hitter to end the game.
The Eagles finished the season with a record of 13-11.
South Vermillion (19-7) will play at Speedway in the regional round on Tuesday night. Speedway defeated Cascade 9-1 in the Monrovia Sectional championship game.
South Vermillion 001 420 0 — 7 8 1
South Putnam 000 010 0 — 1 5 2
WP — Godfrey. LP — Egold.