(SUBMITTED PHOTO)
Editor
Beech Grove’s historic softball campaign ended Saturday as Tri-West defeated the Hornets, 8-1 in the first round of the Class 3A Jasper Semistate.
The Hornets wind up with a program record 21 wins and first-time sectional and regional championships.
Beech Grove, coached by Kacy Ferrell, trailed the Bruins, 2-1 going into the fourth inning. Junior Mylee Bowling scored the Hornets’ lone run in the fourth inning. Tri-West junior pitcher Audrey Lowrey (Arizona recruit) struck out 14 Hornets and allowed only two hits in a duel against Hornets’ senior Malone Moore. The Bruins exploded for six runs in the fourth. The Hornets were plagued by three errors.
Beech Grove (21-7) made it to the 3A Elite Eight for the first time after overpowering Speedway, 12-2 for the sectional trophy and Hamilton Heights, 10-0 for the regional title.
The Hornets hit a formidable .393 as a team during the 2022-2023 season. They were led by Moore (.575, 50 hits, 46 RBI at the plate and 18-5, 0.783 ERA and 184 strike outs in the circle, junior Lillianna Jansen (.532, 50 hits, 33 RBI), senior Kylee Robinson (.460, 46 hits, 46 runs scored), and Boling (.407, 33 hits, 27 RBI, 4 home runs).
Beech Grove graduates six seniors.
Lutheran reached the Final Four after defeating Lanesville, 8-2 in the Class A North Daviess Regional. In the title game, the Saints were overpowered by Tecumseh, 20-0. Junior Kayla Burns had the lone hit in the nightcap.
Earlier, the Saints held a 7-0 lead before Lanesville scored two runs in the fifth. Lutheran sophomore pitcher Brooklyn Barger struck out eight batters and allowed five hits.
At the plate, Saints junior Mystic Means had three hits and drove in one teammate and classmate Caitlyn Brooks had two hits and drove in two runs. Junior Grace King and freshman Layla Miller each had a hit.
With only one senior, the young Saints finished with a 20-8 record and the program’s 24th sectional and 13th regional championships.