Softball Sectionals Wrap: Bruins Claim Championship
Host Bethany Christian claimed the second sectional title in program history with a late push Thursday night.
The Bruins scored seven runs in the sixth frame and then held on to top Lakewood Park 10-8 in the title game of the Class 1-A Bethany Christian Sectional.
The Bruins, whose only other sectional crown came in 1999, will host South Central Tuesday night in a one-game regional matchup.
Bailey Hanton had two hits and drove in a pair of runs to pace the offense for the champions.
The quartet of Emma Bontrager, Brooke Reinhardt, Melina Liras and Cat Underly each had two hits for the Bruins.
Andrea Yousey pitched a complete game in the circle for the hosts.
In other area sectional play Thursday night, host Penn rolled past Adams 10-0 in five innings to claim their fourth straight Class 4-A title.
Penn ace Danielle Watson fired her first perfect game in the circle. The senior, who is bound for Louisville, fanned 10 and ran her career no-hitter mark to 16. Sophomore Mackenzie Griman, a Butler recruit, had a homer and three RBI to lead the offense for the champions. Griman now has a school single-season record nine homers this Spring and leads the state with 61 RBI.
The Kingsmen, who are ranked No. 1 statewide and No. 18 nationally, improve to 26-1. Penn, which was state runner-up in 2016, will play at either Goshen or Northridge in a regional game Tuesday night. Goshen faces Northridge Friday night in the sectional final at Elkhart Central.
South Bend St. Joe topped Jimtown 3-1 to win its own Class 3-A sectional final at Newton Park in Lakeville Thursday night.
Lauren Sandor, the lone freshman for the Indians, fired a four-hitter. She retired the first 16 Jimtown hitters of the contest.
The Indians advance with a 24-4 mark, while the Jimmies close out at 20-7. St. Joe will play a regional game at Northwestern Tuesday night.