
Senior staff writer
Southside teams have plenty of power at the plate for the 2017 softball season.
At least 10 sluggers who hit better than .400 last year return, while one of the state’s best pitchers in Center Grove sophomore Abby Herbst heads back to the mound.
Most teams will need all the runs they can muster as they go through a rebuilding phase. Defending sectional champion Franklin Central lost nine seniors to graduation. Lutheran, with solid hitting, has a good opportunity to repeat as sectional champs.
Greenwood Christian assistant coach Bill Hardwick moved up as the Cougars’ new head coach, and Haley Killingbeck and Martin Sam take over at Manual.
Early season games find Decatur Central at Franklin Central today, Center Grove at home against Whiteland and Cathedral at Southport March 21, Indian Creek at Greenwood April 3 and Cascade at Beech Grove April 4.
Roncalli’s first home game is April 11 against Southport after opening with seven road games.
Key dates: April 15, Franklin Central Invitational; April 22, Center Grove Invitational; May 5-8, Marion County tourney; May 20, Roncalli Invitational; and May 22-27, sectionals.
Team-by-team outlook with last season’s records.
Center Grove looks for another deep postseason run
Franklin Central has big shoes to fill from last year's regional champion squad
For Greenwood it's all about effort
Falcons have to replace hitting
Roncalli reloads to defend sectional crown
Indoor hitting facility a big lift for Southport
Beech Grove features players who can play a variety of spots
New coaches like what they see at Manual
The Cougars have speed and bats
Lutheran returns explosive offense, defending sectional champs