
Senior staff writer
Southport attacked from the plate early and captured the Battle of Perry Township Monday against Perry Meridian in the 4A softball Sectional 11 opener at Holder Field.
The Cardinals (12-11) scored four runs in the first two innings and added Erniey Hursey’s solo home run for a 5-0 triumph.
Southport senior pitcher Alexis Pendleton gave up six hits as the Cardinals defense did not allow the Falcons (5-18) to score, even with the bases loaded in the fourth and fifth.
“We scored those runs early and that put the pressure on them,” Southport coach Scott Montgomery said. “We kept the ball in play with our bats and when we get on base, we can make good things happen. And defensively we played great.”
Force plays on grounders ended Perry Meridian’s bases-loaded threats.
Perry Meridian coach Mandi Haberlin said, “They attacked early, but we had our bats on the ball too. We couldn’t score when we had two big opportunities.”
The Cardinals met 4A No. 9 Decatur Central Tuesday and No. 8 Roncalli faced Ben Davis. The winners advance to the Sectional 11 title game at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Holder Field.
At Center Grove, the anticipated tourney rematch between Center Grove and Franklin Central took place Tuesday with the winner facing the Whiteland-Greenwood winner in the championship Wednesday at 6 p.m.
The Flashes and Trojans collided last year in the playoffs with coach Kathy Stricker’s Flashes handcuffing Center Grove 8-0. The Trojans are coached by Russ Milligan who earned a milestone 700th win this season.
In Class A sectionals, host Class A No. 20 Lutheran shut out Tindley 13-0 and faced Bethesda Christian Tuesday with the winner going against the University-Indiana Deaf School winner for the trophy Thursday at 5 p.m.
Beech Grove met Northwest Tuesday with the winner advancing to the championship game Thursday at 6 p.m. in the 3A Sectional at Indian Creek.
Also Wednesday, Manual faces Brebeuf Jesuit at 5 p.m. Wednesday at New Palestine with the winner going to the final game Thursday at 6 p.m.
Results of Tuesday’s games were unavailable at press time.