Castle softball's off night at the wrong time in Class 4A regional ends season
NEWBURGH, Ind. – This result could be an important moment for the Castle softball program.
It was challenged all season with one of the toughest schedules in Indiana. A who's who of teams in the coaches poll. That was among the reasons the Knights persevered when pushed to the brink in the sectional.
Those good teams will take advantage of any off nights, though.
Bedford North Lawrence bested Castle 8-1 in the Class 4A regional on Tuesday. The Stars were the better team. They had more offense, including an early tone-setter from arguably the best freshman in the state.
The Knights had an off night at the wrong time. But if those coming back can learn the right lesson from this game, watch out.
"Find a way to compete," said Castle coach Pat Lockyear. "When you have an off game against a good team, this is what happens. We have a lot of good players. This whole season is a learning experience for them. You have to play good teams."
IHSAA softball: 'You find a way to win': Castle rallied to claim the sectional title
The difference was Bedford found a way despite not having its A-game. Indiana State commit Annie Waggoner was solid in the circle with 10 strikeouts and only five hits allowed. However, the junior needed 133 pitches and issued four walks.
The only Castle run came on a double from Emma Boyer in the third to score Sadie Winsett from first. The Knights left the bases loaded in the fourth and two runners in the sixth. Madison Beckhart went 2-for-4 at the plate.
"It was really an opportunity for us if we could have held them," said Lockyear. "Really good pitchers find a way to do it even when they don't have their stuff."
The unit that didn't have an off night was the BNL offense. That was made apparent in the first inning.
After recording two quick outs, Castle chose to pitch to freshman Ava Ratliff. It was a mistake as she sent a ball into the second row of the parking lot beyond the left-field wall for her 21st home run of the season.
The Knights elected to intentionally walk Ratliff during her next two plate appearances. It didn't matter because of the Stars' depth. BNL scored four in the third and two in the fourth. Purdue commit Braxton McCauley hit the ball hard twice including, an RBI double. Aliza Jewell drove in three runs and Carsyn Alvey blasted a solo homer in the seventh.
"I did tell Ava a month ago teams will start walking you," said BNL coach Brad Gilbert. "Luckily, we're not a one-pony show. Braxton is the real deal. We have enough kids that put a good swing on it."
"You try not to let the best player on the other team beat you," added Lockyear. "It didn't work the other times because the kids behind (Ratliff) did well and we made a couple mistakes."
Bedford beat Castle 5-4 in the opening game of the season for both programs. This was also a rematch from the 2018 regional won by the Knights. There could be more battles to come with talent coming back.
Gilbert would love to see it happen. The Stars (28-2) will likely make a return trip next spring considering strong opponents prepared Bedford for these moments.
"Castle has a lot of fight in them," said Gilbert. "They're going to be good and a force next year again. Pat does a great job and I knew they'd be ready to go. We were just a little better tonight."
There is much reason for optimism concerning Castle's future. The Knights return seven members of the lineup and their top two pitchers. Winsett gave up only two hits and struck out four in 3 2/3 innings of relief. The Southern Indiana Athletic Conference will continue to be determined in Newburgh.
Castle will need to replace a three-member senior class, each vital to its success in different ways. Jackie Lis was statistically one of the top hitters in program history. Madison Beckhart drove in a team-high 34 runs and pitched important innings early in the season. Maddie Thomas was a valuable bench bat.
What Lockyear will remember though is their perseverance. Lis returned prior to the sectional after breaking her tibia on April 12. Beckhart missed half of last season following elbow surgery. It wasn't guaranteed Thomas could play this spring after multiple concussions.
All three fought through each obstacle to push the program.
"Give all three credit," said Lockyear. "They were great leaders."
Follow Courier & Press sports reporter Kyle Sokeland on Twitter @kylesokeland.
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: IHSAA softball: Bedford North Lawrence beats Castle in 4A regional
