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IHSAA softball: A look at the three Southwestern Indiana teams headed to semistate

hendrix magley, evansville courier & press
·4 min read

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Three high school softball teams in Southwestern Indiana are hoping to punch their tickets to state this weekend.

The IHSAA semistate round will take place Saturday with two semifinal games in the morning before the winners meet in the final later that evening. Pike Central (3A), North Posey (2A) and Tecumseh (A) are the last teams in the area still vying for a trip to the state finals next weekend at Purdue University's Bittinger Stadium.

Here's a look at each of the local semistate fields.

Class 3A at Brown County

Pike Central (18-6) vs. No. 1 Tri-West Hendricks (27-2), 10 a.m.

No. 7 Cathedral (20-9) vs. Corydon Central (23-8), Noon

Championship, 6 p.m.

Players to watch: Bella Gerlach (Corydon Central), Julia Jennings (Cathedral), Karley Kavanaugh (Pike Central), Audrey Lowry (Tri-West), Isabelle Saylor (Tri-West), Alyna Sharp (Pike Central), Jade Slone (Cathedral), Chloe Williams (Pike Central)

Pike Central’s Lexie Onyett (19) throws to first as the Pike Central Chargers play the Boonville Lady Pioneers during the 2021 IHSAA Softball 3A Regional championship in Petersburg, Ind., Tuesday evening, June 1, 2021.
Pike Central’s Lexie Onyett (19) throws to first as the Pike Central Chargers play the Boonville Lady Pioneers during the 2021 IHSAA Softball 3A Regional championship in Petersburg, Ind., Tuesday evening, June 1, 2021.

Outlook: It's been a postseason to remember for Pike Central. After upsetting No. 2 Gibson Southern in the sectional, the Chargers ousted Heritage Hills 9-3 to win their first regional title since 1990. They'll get an immediate challenge in the regional by facing the No. 1 team in 3A.

Tri-West (27-2) is led by Audrey Lowry, a dual-threat at the plate (.473, 20 RBI) and in the circle (0.50 ERA, 244 strikeouts). She's the No. 2-ranked national recruit in the Class of 2024, according to Extra Innings. On the other side of the bracket, Cathedral and Corydon Central has the potential to be a fun showdown. Corydon senior Bella Gerlach, a Western Michigan commit, has launched 21 home runs this season.

While the Chargers have embraced their underdog role, this program is expected to achieve success each season.

Pike Central coach Dustin Traylor: "I feel like our tradition always carries on. I want these girls to know that when they put that uniform on, that's what they're putting on. That's the expectation."

North Posey’s Sibyl Renshaw (15) celebrates her run in the sixth inning against the Tecumseh Braves after her team executed a squeeze play and Tecumseh catcher Emma Holder (20) dropped the ball at Tecumseh High School in Lynnville, Ind., Wednesday, April 14, 2021. The Tecumseh Braves defeated the North Posey Vikings 4-3 in eight innings.
North Posey’s Sibyl Renshaw (15) celebrates her run in the sixth inning against the Tecumseh Braves after her team executed a squeeze play and Tecumseh catcher Emma Holder (20) dropped the ball at Tecumseh High School in Lynnville, Ind., Wednesday, April 14, 2021. The Tecumseh Braves defeated the North Posey Vikings 4-3 in eight innings.

Class 2A at Forest Park

No. 8 North Posey (22-1) vs. Eastern Hancock (21-4-1), 10 a.m.

Eastern (Pekin) (15-7-1) vs. No. 6 South Vermillion (24-3), Noon

Championship, 6 p.m. 

Players to watch: Maleah Blevins (Eastern Pekin), Hannah Boardman (South Vermillion), Samantha Bolding (Eastern Hancock), Addie Fullop (North Posey), Erin Hoehn (North Posey), Haley Lowe (North Posey), MaKenzie Mackey (South Vermillion), Brooklyn Willis (Eastern Hancock)

Outlook: The Vikings are semistate bound for the first time since 2010 after an 8-0 victory over Linton-Stockton in the regional. Junior Erin Hoehn has continued to be the driving force as she no-hit the Miners with 17 strikeouts in the regional. She also no-hit Mater Dei in the sectional semifinals.

IHSAA softball: North Posey rides Erin Hoehn's 17 strikeouts to Class 2A regional title

The Vikings face Eastern Hancock, which led by a pair of dominant power hitters in Samantha Bolding (.603, 17 home runs) and Brooklyn Willis (.533, 10 home runs). South Vermillion is a team to watch on the other side of the bracket. MaKenzie Mackey has had a strong season in the circle with a 0.76 ERA and 127 strikeouts.

With just one senior on the roster, the Vikings are potentially set up for multiple postseason runs. But this year has been something special.

North Posey coach Gary Gentil: "These girls have been working at it for many, many years and it's coming to fruition. You can see the rewards right now."

Tecumseh’s Karysn Flowers (22) throws to first as the Tecumseh Braves play the Boonville Pioneers during the 2021 Warrick County softball showcase in Newburgh, Ind., Saturday afternoon, May 15, 2021.
Tecumseh’s Karysn Flowers (22) throws to first as the Tecumseh Braves play the Boonville Pioneers during the 2021 Warrick County softball showcase in Newburgh, Ind., Saturday afternoon, May 15, 2021.

Class 1A at Tecumseh

No. 2 Hauser (23-4-1) vs. Trinity Lutheran (14-9), 9:30 a.m.

No. 1 Tecumseh (26-5) vs. No. 8 Clay City (24-4), 11 a.m.

Championship, 6 p.m. 

Players to watch: Taylor Ash (Tecumseh), Lucie Asher (Hauser), Jenna Donohoo (Tecumseh), Ashtyn Green (Tecumseh), Sophie Moshos (Clay City), Bailey Tabeling (Trinity Lutheran), Hannah Taylor (Hauser), Lexi Thompson (Clay City)

Outlook: After playing up a class, Tecumseh has returned to dominance in Class A. The Braves won their 14th regional title behind a no-hit performance from Ashtyn Green in a 6-0 win over Barr-Reeve.

Tecumseh softball: 'Lucky to be alive' after a car crash, Kinsly Heichelbech is playing again

They will face No. 8 Clay City. The Eels have strong pitching and hitting for the Braves to overcome before potentially setting up a No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown in the title game. Hannah Taylor hit a go-ahead three-run homer for Hauser against Edinburgh in the regional championship.

Tecumseh has relied on its depth to get this far as each hitter in the lineup has the ability to go for multiple hits. Tecumseh also has a handful of arms it uses in the circle. Being the No. 1-ranked team, they are the favorite. But it won't be an easy journey getting through this field.

Tecumseh coach Gordon Wood: "These teams are gritty, they're tough. They're going to give you everything they've got. You've got to stand up and handle it and so far they have."

Contact Courier & Press sports reporter Hendrix Magley via email at hendrix.magley@courierpress.com or via Twitter @TweetsOfHendrix.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: IHSAA softball: A look at the three semistate showdowns in SW Indiana