Hassler sets new Tiger Cub strikeout record in win over Eagles

In the fourth inning, Greencastle freshman pitcher Ali Hassler picked up the sixth of eleven strikeouts on the day.

At that moment, she set the school singleseason strikeout record and the Tiger Cubs went on to pick up their 13th win of the season, defeating hosts South Putnam Eagles 4-1 Tuesday night.

Sidney Lantzy started the game off with an infield single and a stolen base. Gloria Brewer hit a grounder to short with Lantzy advancing to third. As the throw went to third, Lantzy did not stop and was able to slide around the tag to score the opening run of the game.

Hassler struck out three of the first four Eagle hitters, but in the second, the Eagles were able to scratch out a run.

Ariel Dooley singled and, after a ground out, Peyton Freeman put the ball in play with the throw to first not well handled, allowing Dooley to come around and score, tying the game at 1-1.

Greencastle put a pair on the board in the fourth. Brewer led off with a single and stole second. With two out, Elise Lausee walked to put two on.

Haley Iseman grounded to second and the ball took a bad hop, getting to the outfield, with Brewer coming around to score. Lausee would later score on a wild pitch to give the Cubs a two-run lead.

Hassler gave up a single to Lilah Holderfield to start the bottom half of the fourth. The next batter would make history for Greencastle as she struck out the batter to break the single season record. She would strike out five more before the game was over to set the record at 195, with more games to go.

“(Ali) was really motivated tonight, she wanted the record. She had really good control of all her pitches tonight,” said Greencastle head coach Amy Coons.

The Cubs added an insurance run in the sixth. Emma Hunter singled, took second on a wild pitch and stole third. Kenzie Epley then singled to bring home the run.

Eagle starter Jaicee Jackson, whose own solid performance did not go unnoticed, was able to get out of the jam with no further damage.

“We have a lot of games like this, where we have kept it close, but just could not score,” Eagle coach Mark Hamilton pointed out.

Greencastle evens up its record on the season and is now 4-6 in the conference. South falls to 5-15 and 3-7 in the WIC. The Cubs have one more game Wednesday at Dugger Union. South Putnam will face South Vermillion in the opening round of sectional, with Greencastle awaiting the winner.

Greencastle 100 201 0 — 4 6 1

South Putnam 010 000 0 — 1 2 1

Batting — (G) Brewer 2-3, Hunter 2-3, Lantzy 1-3, Epley 1-3; (SP) Holderfield 1-2, Dooley 1-3

RBI — (G) Epley, Iseman

SB — (G) Lantzy, Brewer, Hunter

LOB — (G) 3 (SP) 2

WP — Hassler 7IP 2H 1BB 11K 1R 0ER

LP — Jackson 7IP 6H 2BB 1K 4R 2ER