EVANSVILLE — Memorial coach Rick Lutz expected a challenge coming into the regional championship against Gibson Southern. The Titans are a balanced team with an offense that can strike at any point, no pun intended.
And while it’s to be expected at this stage, both teams have relied on the benefit of reliable pitching: Memorial with Bri Canaan, Gibson Southern with Miley Sperling. Two juniors that have had great seasons.
The stands were packed with both sets of supporters. While many were left standing, that did not deter their attentiveness.
On June 2, it was the Tigers who came out on top 3-0 in Evansville. They came to Cooper Stadium with a readiness that allowed them to maintain control of the game from start to finish, securing their ticket to semi-state.
“We were ready to go,” Lutz said. “They were just fired up. They wanted to get some runs early, and the girls did it.”
A fast start for the Tigers
The offense clicked early. Cypress Aliotta’s RBI double brought Madison Thomas home to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead in the first inning.
Then in the second, Nevaeh Wise followed suit – this time on an RBI triple into left field. Stella Raben scored to give Memorial a 2-0 lead.
In the third, Teagan Davis replicated it on another RBI triple deep into right-center field that that was seemingly lost in the air on this sunny evening. Abby Blackburn’s run increased the lead to three.
Through each inning, Gibson Southern coach Gary May was pleading for his team to step up and get the Titans back in the game. While they did not pick up a run, their production saw an uptick. Emerson Walker reached first on a walk and advanced to second off a stolen base. As pressure was mounting on the Memorial defense with no outs, Canaan came through.
Strikeout, strikeout, strikeout. The inning was over, another notable moment from Memorial’s ace.
“It was just about preparing for the game,” Canaan said. “Preparing my body, making sure I can do my best. I think that played a major part in what happened tonight.”
But on the other side, Gibson Southern did not rest. Sperling’s pitching kept the Tigers’ offense largely quiet from that point. Her two strikeouts do not tell the story in this one, as she stayed composed alongside her defense.
This is a Gibson Southern team that had not lost since its meeting with Tecumseh on May 13. As the game progressed, you could see why.
Back-to-back regional titles
But still, it was not enough to score. Canaan, who finished the game with nine strikeouts, made it tough on the Titans’ offense to offer a real threat of scoring.
Against Gibson Southern, one shutout is impressive. Two is even more impressive: Memorial defeated Gibson Southern 8-0 on April 7. Canaan had 20 strikeouts combined against the Titans this season.
“(Canaan) pitched a great game,” Lutz said. “She had great control today and didn’t let anything rattle her. She’s a good pitcher; no, great pitcher.”
Lutz also gave credit to the defense. It’s a unit that has been solid all season with each player comfortable at their poisition.
And through the contributions of Aliotta, Davis and Wise, the depth of Memorial’s offense was apparent in the regional championship. At this point in the season, it takes everyone.
That message certainly sticks with the Tigers.
“You’ve got to have hitting up and down the lineup,” Lutz said. “Some kids contributed, some didn’t as much, but that didn’t matter because they had their backs. That’s what we keep preaching here.”
Back-to-back regional championships is special for Memorial softball. It’s never been done in program history.
The trajectory is a positive one without doubt. And Canaan feels the significance.
“It means a lot for not only Memorial softball, but Memorial,” Canaan said. “It feels amazing to be part of the team that’s here.”
A familiar opponent awaits
After the game, Lutz was notified of his semi-state semifinal opponent, Cathedral. There is familiarity in this matchup – the two faced off last season in the semi-state championship. Cathedral won the game 4-2.
Lutz sees some similarities between the teams.
“Cathedral is a tremendous team,” Lutz said. “They’ve got good pitching and field just like we do. It’s going to be a tough game.”
Memorial’s roster looks largely the same from last season. The team’s aim this year is simple – right their wrongs.
As the saying goes, there is no greater teacher than experience. Canaan knows her team will use it to their advantage heading into June 6 in Jasper.
“It’s looking back at what we did last year and correcting those small mistakes,” Canaan said. “(Cathedral) is aggressive and loud, so I feel like we need to be aggressive and loud also. Making sure that they’re not overpowering and we’re not just falling back.”
Amid the celebrations at Cooper Stadium, the Tigers’ mentality was one of poise. They remember last season’s end and remember it well.
Call it a chip on their shoulder if you’d would like. You can sense it – Memorial’s readiness for semi-state is real.
Other Evansville area regional championship results
4A: Castle 5, Seymour 4
2A: Tecumseh 18, Sullivan 0
1A: Barr-Reeve 6, Bloomfield 3
1A: West Washington 5, Wood Memorial 0
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: Memorial softball wins its second-consecutive regional championship
Reporting by Markos Tsegaye, Evansville Courier & Press / Evansville Courier & Press
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