LIBERTY, Ind. – There was dancing on Friday night.
A 5-4 come-from-behind victory for the Northeastern softball team over Knightstown in the Class 2A sectional at Union County had athletic director Mark Pierson dancing on the field after the Knights won their first title in school history.
“When we got down 3-0, I kept telling the girls don’t give up we’ve got a lot of ball to play,” Northeastern Head Coach Mike Smith said.
The fifth-ranked Knights (21-5) didn’t quit and as a result they travel to No. 10 Eastern Hancock (20-6) for the regional on Tuesday. The Royals defeated Triton Central 7-1 to win their sectional title.
Northeastern trailed by three runs after a homer by Knightstown’s Carmen Cleek in the top of the first.
“It was a full count and she was sitting on the fastball,” Smith said of the three-run long ball off Northeastern pitcher Katie Schneider. “I am so proud and honored to be a part of this team. Katie is a phenomenal pitcher she will definitely keep you in the ball game.”
It took until the fifth inning, but the Knights remained focused as they tied the score.
“Our team showed a lot of heart,” said Schneider, who earned the victory. “We’re going to carry that in the rest of the tournament. They all knew that this wasn’t going to be an easy game and we were going to have to battle.”
With two runners on base in the bottom of the fifth, Sierra Gilmore countered Cleek’s shot as she blasted a three-run bomb to make it 3-3.
“I was definitely excited,” Gilmore said. “The only thing going through my head when I was at the plate was get you bat on the ball. Just get a base hit … get something and at least score a run.”
Gilmore did more than that as she rallied her team.
“I wasn’t trying for what I got, but I’m definitely happy,” she said.
However, the Knights needed more as they batted in the sixth.
“Sierra Gilmore had the big hit and we drove in a couple of extra runs,” Smith said.
The extra runs came from Lena Smith and Carli Williams. Smith gave Northeastern a 4-3 lead with a single and then Williams knocked what turned out to the game-winning run with another single.
Gilmore led the Knights with two hits and several defensive plays from her shortstop position.
“There is no feeling comparable,” Gilmore said. “They way we came together and the way we fought back, there’s no other feeling. I’m just so glad that my time with this team isn’t over.”
Check out the final out and video of Pierson’s championship dance here.