LIBERTY, Ind. – A bases loaded walk in the bottom of the seventh on Thursday gave the Centerville softball team its second Class 2A sectional title as the Bulldogs rallied to defeated the host Patriots 7-6.
“We’ve worked very hard this year on batting and being very disciplined at the plate and making them pitch to you,” Centerville Head Coach Brad Hobson said. “They’re just now starting to get at the right time.”
The Bulldogs trailed by a run heading into their half of the seventh.
Kenzie Lanman made it 6-6 with a run-scoring single to set the stage for Shelby Koch, who got the game-winning RBI with her third walk of the game to give the Bulldogs their first sectional championship since 2014.
“We’ve struggled this year to play a full seven innings,” Hobson said. “We finally got it and we’re peaking at the right time.”
Centerville (10-9) will entertain Tri-Eastern Conference foe Knightstown (16-13) on Tuesday for the regional crown.
The Bulldogs defeated the Panthers 4-2 in Centerville back on May 1. Knightstown advanced to the regional with an 8-3 win over Triton Central.
“That was one of the first games where we started to jell,” Hobson said.
Megan Stelle led the Bulldogs with two hits and three RBI, while Kelsee Troutwine also had two hits.
Lanman, Alyssa Riall, Cassidy Weiss and Jade Hill all had hits.
Grace Delay went the distance on the mound for Centerville with six strikeouts.
Haylee Richards led the Patriots with three hits and two RBI.
Kristin Klein, Fayth Hill, Tori Russell and Tara Williams each had two hits.
Rainey Shepler also had a hit.
Union County Sectional
Tuesday
Centerville 2, Winchester 0
Wednesday
Union County 5, Northeastern 3
Centerville 10, Hagerstown 0
Thursday
Centerville 7, Union County 6, Championship