By Nathan Pace
Online Editor

Southport defeated Perry Meridian 5-0 to move on to the sectional final Saturday morning against Scecina. Cricket Khelseau won at No. 1 singles 6-3, 6-1. M. Lucas won at No. 2 singles 6-0, 6-0 as did B. Watson. View photos from the match below. 

By Al Stilley
Editor

A trio of Southside teams reached the finals of county tourney championship games last week but only Center Grove’s softball team walked away with a trophy.

The host No.3 Trojans put together a six-run second inning as first-year coach Alyssa Coleman’s charges defeated Whiteland, 9-0, Saturday. Piper Belden’s double and freshman Lex Warner’s two-run home run were the big blows in the fifth.

In the Marion County softball tourney, inspired No. 21 Franklin Central fell to No. 2-ranked Decatur Central, 5-2, Friday in the title game.

The Flashes reached the finale by coming from behind to upset No. 8 Roncalli, 6-3. Josie Newman’s three-run triple led the way for the Flashes. Olivia Colip and Maddie Weaver delivered two singles each. FC scored all six runs in the sixth inning.

Upset-minded Perry Meridian reached the title game in the Marion County baseball tourney for the second straight year. Collecting five hits, the Falcons were shut out by Lawrence North, 3-0, at Victory Field.
Earlier in the week, Greenwood ended a long 17-game losing skid by defeating host Franklin, 3-2, in a Mid-State baseball match-up on May 8.

IHSAA softball sectional action begins Monday with six Southside teams in action.

Monday at 4A Decatur Central, No. 8  Roncalli (19-4) collides with defending 4A state champion host No. 2 Hawks (21-1) at 5:30 p.m., followed by Perry Meridian (4-14) vs. Ben Davis (2-12) The winners play at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday with Southport (11-12) meeting Pike (1-18) later. The title game is May 22 at 7 p.m.

At 4A Center Grove, Greenwood (6-17) opens Monday against Martinsville (13-12) at 5:30 p.m., followed by a battle between Franklin Central (15-9) and No. 3 Trojans (20-3). The two winners face off Tuesday at 5:30 p.m., with the championship game May 22 at 7 p.m.

In 3A at New Palestine (20-3), Beech Grove (3-13) meets the No. 1 Dragons at 5:30 p.m., Monday with the winner facing Connersville Tuesday at 7 p.m. Title match-up is May 23 at 6 p.m.

Sectional host 1A, No. 9 Lutheran (14-6) opens against nemesis No. 13 Edinburgh (12-10) at 5:30 p.m., Monday with the winner meeting Waldron at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. Greenwood Christian (9-5) meets Morristown (4-14) Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. Championship is May 23 at 5:30 p.m.

Underdog Manual plays Brebeuf Tuesday at 5 p.m. at 3A Bishop Chatard. The winner advances to the semifinal game May 22 at 5 p.m. Title game is May 25 at 11 a.m.

Baseball sectionals begin Wednesday, May 22.
At 4A Southport, Perry Meridian (12-11) meets Decatur Central at 5:30 p.m., with the winner playing May 25 at 1 p.m., followed by Southport (4-10) taking on Roncalli (11-7). The title game is May 27 at 6 p.m.

At 4A Martinsville, it’s Franklin Central (8-14) against Franklin (12-8) at 5:30 p.m., and No. 2 Center Grove (19-2), winners of 18 games in a row, meeting rival Whiteland (14-8) at 7:30 p.m. The winners meet May 27 at 10 a.m., followed by Greenwood (2-18) against Martinsville (15-7), and the championship at 6 p.m.

At 1A Morristown (1-16), Lutheran (6-9) plays the hosts at 5:30 p.m. followed by Greenwood Christian( 6-8) against Edinburgh (3-12). The two winners play May 25 at 10 a.m. The title tilt is May 27 at 10 a.m.

Manual (4-6) meets Beech Grove (2-12) May 25 at 11 a.m., in the 3A Chatard sectional with the winner going to the title match-up May 27 at 11 a.m.