EVANSVILLE — The IHSAA softball sectional 32 semifinals at Cooper Stadium delivered.
If you were looking to see a pitching battle, you got it. If you wanted to watch runs scored in bunches, you got that too.
Four teams came and left it all on the field with their seasons hanging in the balance. It’s what the postseason is all about.
But the standouts on Tuesday, May 26 were Memorial and North Posey. The two teams won thrillers and will return to the University of Evansville campus for the IHSAA Class 3A sectional championship Friday, May 29. Memorial knocked off Mt. Vernon, 2-1, to advance, while North Posey won a barn burner, 11-8, over Boonville.
Bri Canaan vs Alaina Allyn did not disappoint
Elite pitching from both teams was expected in the first semifinal. Bri Canaan of Memorial came in with 36 strikeouts in her last three games. Mt. Vernon’s Alaina Allyn came in with 32 in her last 19 innings.
It’s safe to say expectations were met.
Canaan and Allyn controlled the start of the game. Neither pitcher allowed the opposing offense to pick up any sort of momentum. Through two innings, the game was scoreless.
But in the third came the breakthrough for the Wildcats. Mallory Rhodes’ hit fell into left field and Allyn slid into home plate just under the tag attempt to make it 1-0.
In the fifth, Memorial delivered its response. Madison Thomas hit an RBI double into center field, scoring Stella Raben to tie the game.
In the bottom of the seventh came the walk-off for the Tigers. Thomas hit another ball deep into center field that left Mt. Vernon’s outfielders scrambling. Olivia Wollenmann dashed around the bases, scoring the winning run.
Canaan finished with 16 strikeouts and Allyn 13. Both pitchers gave their respective teams every chance possible to win.
Memorial coach Rick Lutz ensured his team kept a level head after going down 1-0.
“We told them to keep fighting,” Lutz said. “Our team never gives up. With Bri on the mound, we just had to get two (runs) and that’s what we ended up doing.”
Lutz credited Canaan for her growth from her freshman year to now as a junior. She’s become more consistent — and in low-scoring games like this, invaluable.
The sentiment was similar for Thomas, a reliable contributor to Memorial’s program all four years. After a positive contribution against Bosse in the opening round, each of Thomas’ two hits proved to be critical in getting the Tigers back to the sectional championship.
“We’re not done yet,” Lutz said. “We got to keep fighting and playing hard like we have. Good things will happen.”
North Posey show resiliency in semifinal win
Outside of the pouring rain to start, this game was on fire from start to finish.
Boonville made a statement early with three runs in the opening inning. North Posey’s response was immediate, as they put together three of its own.
The tone was set.
The Pioneers took a 6-3 lead heading into the bottom of the third before the Vikings responded again to tie the game at six.
That same inning, North Posey made a pitching change, removing Avery Sanders for Alli Esche.
After a North Posey hit in the fifth, Boonville made a pitching change of their own, inserting Nevaeh Wall in for Mia Clamme. This move has been common for the Pioneers this season, given their quality at the position.
In the bottom of the sixth, Boonville again had its lead restored at 8-7. This is where the game took its biggest turn.
The Vikings put together hit after hit, accumulating four runs in the inning and taking their first lead of the game. It was 11-8 with all the pressure on Boonville.
The Pioneers gave it their all in the final inning with two runners on base and two outs. North Posey coach Gary Gentil came up to the mound to talk to his team. All they needed was one out to get their rematch against Memorial in the championship game.
Boonville hit a fly ball that was easily caught by North Posey. The comeback was complete, 11-8 was the final score as North Posey players and supporters erupted. The Vikings kept on fighting, and it made all the difference against a talented opponent.
The word Gentil used to describe it? Gritty.
“They showed their heart and played with a passion we’ve been talking about all year,” Gentil said. “Every single person did their part. I couldn’t be more proud of them.”
Gentil’s group is a young one. The message all year has been on putting together seven innings of focus. After a tough stretch to end the regular season, the message appears to be hitting home when it matters most.
Two players in particular that contributed to the win were Lily Hester and Madison Versteeg. The two juniors combined for a 7-8, five RBI and two run performance.
“They’re the heart and soul in this,” Gentil said.
Heading into the sectional championship, Mt. Vernon is far from satisfied. The Wildcats remember last year’s 1-0 loss well. After dealing with tough pitching Tuesday, it does not get any easier with Canaan.
Now the rematch with Memorial looms. In their regular season duel on April 20, the Tigers won 4-3. Thomas led the way with two runs on 2-3 hitting. After Memorial’s win, Lutz watched the following semifinal.
“We’ll have to be able to improve from what happened tonight,” Gentil said. “(Memorial) is very good.”
Markos Tsegaye is a sports reporter for the Courier & Press. He can be reached at mtsegaye@usatodayco.com. Follow him on X @10_Markos_
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: The IHSAA softball sectional semifinals at Cooper Stadium delivered
Reporting by Markos Tsegaye, Evansville Courier & Press / Evansville Courier & Press
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