Games of the week: Mooresville meets Center Grove, Martinsville visits Bloomington South

Devin Voss, The Reporter Times
·4 min read

With the spring season nearing its end, there's still plenty of great action yet to be played. That can be exemplified by some of the high stake's battles taking place this week.

Here's this week's picks for game of the week, as well as some others to get out and watch as local teams try to build steam for the upcoming tournament.

Mooresville's Josi Hair winds up a pitch during the Pioneers' game with Monrovia on April 15, 2022.
Mooresville's Josi Hair winds up a pitch during the Pioneers' game with Monrovia on April 15, 2022.

Mooresville v. Center Grove (Softball)

The one we've all been waiting for. Yes, the battle between Mooresville and Center Grove during the first round of sectionals this year will have a little more flare to it, but for the Pioneers to get the chance at sweet revenge before the postseason starts?

That's certainly something to watch.

That bad taste is still in the Pioneers mouth. Beating Center Grove has been one of the team's mottos this season. The words 'Beat Center Grove' are even written on the wall in the weight room, so there's no questioning just how serious Mooresville will be taking this game.

Last season the Pioneers and Trojans split the two games they played with one another. Mooresville took the regular season matchup in a 5-1 victory before Center Grove flipped the score in the sectional championship, also winning 5-1.

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To top the Trojans (13-6) once again, the Pioneers are going to need to use their high batting percentage (.415) to work past presumed starter Riley Henderson. Henderson, who pitches with a 1.81 ERA, has struck out 185 batters this season in 116 innings, giving up a minimal 40 runs.

On the flip side, the Trojans aren't too bad at batting themselves, averaging .323 this season with four batters over the .400 mark. A strong defensive performance, something the Pioneers are accustomed to, will also be necessary.

Neither team are what they are last season. Both lost players and have seen new ones step up in their places. In terms of pure star power, Mooresville has the upper hand. But the game of softball can often be unpredictable. It takes the full nine to be locked in.

Given the history, the Pioneers will hope to use their motivation to drive past the Trojans Thursday.

Martinsville's Matt Decker connects on a pitch during the Artesians' Mid-State matchup with Whiteland on April 26, 2022.
Martinsville's Matt Decker connects on a pitch during the Artesians' Mid-State matchup with Whiteland on April 26, 2022.

Martinsville v. Bloomington South (Baseball)

The rivalry may not be as strong on the diamond, but that doesn't stop this season's rendition of Martinsville and Bloomington South (9-8) from being the game of the week.

In the last seven meetings between the schools, the Panthers hold a 5-2 advantage. However, last season the Artesians exacted a long-awaited revenge to defeat South (8-1) for the first time since 2006.

Levi Suter played a huge factor in that meeting as he kept the Panthers guessing all game, pitching six strikeouts and finishing with a 1.00 ERA. But with Suter on the shelf with injury for the time being, the Artesians will need another source to top their rival.

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Enter Kevin Reed.

There's no telling, until Thursday, if the junior will get the nod on the mound, but even his presence on offense has made a difference for Martinsville this season. Reed bats a .349, second best on the team, and has the most hits (22) and home runs (four).

But the offense as a whole has lacked in recent games with only 12 runs (three per game) in its last four outings. That's compared to the 6.2 runs per contest they had averaged through the first 15 games.

Perhaps motivation from the recent skid and a battle against the rivaling Panthers will be enough for Martinsville to rejuvenate its offense, and the team. Either way, with both teams trying to stick above .500, this will make for a fascinating matchup.

Monrovia catcher Piper Carpenter tosses the ball back to pitcher Alexandria Baker during the Bulldogs' game with Mooresville on April 15, 2022.
Monrovia catcher Piper Carpenter tosses the ball back to pitcher Alexandria Baker during the Bulldogs' game with Mooresville on April 15, 2022.

Other games to watch

Martinsville vs Decatur Central (Baseball)

Date and time: May 10 (5:30, at Martinsville), 11 (6:00, at DC), 2022.

Series last 10 years: Decatur Central, 11-7.

Last meeting: Martinsville, 7-5, May 12, 2021.

Martinsville vs Decatur Central (Softball)

Date and time: May 10 (5:30, at Martinsville), 11 (5:30, at DC), 2022.

Series last 10 years: Decatur Central, 11-3

Last meeting: Decatur Central, 9-0, May 20, 2021.

Monrovia at Cascade (Softball)

Date: May 10, 2022.

Time: 5:30 p.m.

Series last 10 years: Cascade, 7-4.

Last meeting: Cascade, 3-2, May 24, 2021.

Clay City at Eminence (Softball)

Date: May 10, 2022.

Time: 5:30 p.m.

Series last 10 years: Clay City, 5-0.

Last meeting: Clay City, 14-4, May 25, 2022.

Decatur Central at Bishop Chatard (Softball)

Date: May 12, 2022.

Time: 5:30 p.m.

Series last 10 years: No meetings.

Covenant Christian at Monrovia (Baseball)

Date: May 14, 2022.

Time: 11:00 a.m.

Series last 10 years: Tied, 3-3.

Last meeting: Monrovia, 8-7, May 19, 2018.

Contact reporter Devin Voss at dvoss@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @DevinVoss23.

This article originally appeared on The Reporter Times: Games of the week: Mooresville set to play Center Grove, Martinsville visits South