DePauw recruit looks to pitch New Pal to another title

Eight teams will be competing today at Bittinger Stadium in West Lafayette for four championships in the 34th annual IHSAA softball state finals.

In Class A, No. 3-ranked Pioneer plays No. 8-ranked North Central (Farmersburg) in the opening game at 10:30 a.m.

Pioneer (31-3) will be playing for its first softball state title, while the 23-6 Thunderbirds won three years ago in Class 2A.

In Class 2A, top-ranked Bremen (26-3) plays unranked Speedway (21-6-1) in the second game at 1:30 p.m.

Speedway eliminated South Vermillion, winners of the Greencastle sectional, 9-0 in the regional round.

Both teams are playing for their first-ever softball state title.

In Class 3A, DePauw recruit Mackenzie Jones will try to pitch top-ranked New Palestine (29-1) to its second straight state title against South Bend St. Joseph (25-5) at 4:30 p.m.

St. Joseph is the only private school in the state finals field.

In Class 4A, No. 2 Lake Central (29-4) plays No. 9 Decatur Central (31-4) in the final game at 7:30 p.m.

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In high school baseball semistate action today:

Class 4A — Chesterton (18-7) vs. Fishers (27-7) at Plymouth; Indianapolis Cathedral (21-8-1) vs. Castle (22-8) at Plainfield.

Class 3A — Andrean (29-6) vs. Jay County (20-6) at Kokomo; Indian Creek (24-5) vs. Silver Creek (24-2) at Jasper

Class 2A — Boone Grove (19-5) vs. Lafayette Central Catholic (26-4) at Plymouth; Indianapolis Scecina (13-15-1) vs. Southridge at Jasper

Class A — Northfield (16-14) vs. Daleville (20-9) at Kokomo; University (27-6) vs. Tecumseh (20-9) at Plainfield