Happy almost-sectionals, everyone. We’re wrapping up out week of preview coverage by providing some fresh bulletin board material!
Here are my picks for the Central Indiana softball sectionals. Be sure to follow me on Twitter (@Brian_Haenchen) for updates and coverage throughout the event.
CLASS 4A
Sectional 8 at Zionsville
As noted a few times during the season, Hamilton Southeastern’s lineup is much better than last season, maintaining a .357 average (up from .276). It also has one of the state’s top pitchers in Virginia Tech commit Grace Swedarsky, who did not throw when HSE limited potential semifinal opponent Noblesville to five hits in a 5-3 win earlier this month. She will be eager to avenge last year’s lopsided sectional loss … but that’s a very potent Millers lineup with Haley Schatko (13 homers), Reese Newsom (10 homers), Izzy Zapp (38 hits, 32 runs, five homers) and Maggie Kern (837 hits, six homers).
I really don’t know about this one. This bracket could also go crazy with the upsets — Fishers (vs. HSE) and Zionsville (vs. Westfield) need to limit the 1-2 bad innings that have hurt them in big games (the Tigers, especially … that’s cost them vs. Noblesville, Franklin Central and New Palestine). And Carmel, as I wrote earlier this week, is a dangerous dark horse. PICK: Hamilton Southeastern over Westfield
Sectional 9 at Pendleton Heights
Mt. Vernon beat both Pendleton Heights and Greenfield-Central, the other top sectional contenders, by 10 runs during the regular season. Senior Emma Jenkins and freshman Norah Pierce have both mashed five home runs, while junior Amelia Anderson has homered twice and notched 28 hits, while holding a 1.47 ERA and 126 strikeouts in 105 innings pitched. Pendleton has taken strides this season and Greenfield is always dangerous with its power hitters, but Mt. Vernon’s been pretty steady down the stretch. PICK: Mt. Vernon over Pendleton Heights
Sectional 10 at Warren Central
Lawrence Central has not won a sectional championship in program history. That streak could end this year. The Bears boast a quality core four in the lineup — Eliana Luter, Sophie Ruschhaupt, Kaitlyn Criss and Isis Duszynski — and the pitching staff led by Luter and Ruschhaupt has kept a 3.01 ERA (Luter’s is 1.85 through 45.1 innings). They are 3-0 in the sectional, having beaten Warren Central by 10, Lawrence North by 3 and North Central by a run. That North Central game was a classic with LC scoring twice in the bottom of the seventh to win, 2-1. The battle-tested Panthers are led by Kaelee Jacobs at the plate. The senior is batting .500 with 20 RBIs, 24 runs and five homers.
Warren Central was looking for its seventh win Thursday vs. Heritage Christian, which would be its most since 2019. Kira Smith, who’s also a standout track athlete, is batting .551 with a couple homers. Rounding out the field: Lawrence North is rebuilding with a collection of mostly freshmen and sophomores behind senior Tessa Kramer, whose 25 RBIs lead the team and whose 26 hits are tied with Jordyn Rogers for the team lead. PICK: North Central over Lawrence Central
Sectional 11 at Pike
Nine Plainfield Quakers have 20-plus hits, including Kenzi Arnett and Maci Hanlin, who have 40 apiece, plus at least 24 RBIs (29 steals by Arnett). They pair that with a good 1-2 punch in the circle with Charli Cole and Kate Hilton. Tri-West is a tricky semifinal opponent (assuming the Bruins beat Pike), especially if Natalie Tharp is dialed in, but the Quakers won the head-to-head meeting. As for the other likely semifinal — Avon vs. Brownsburg — I have no idea. The Orioles have dominated that series in recent years and their lineup is stacked. But the Bulldogs beat them last month and Etta Schroering has been pretty steady in the circle. PICK: Brownsburg over Plainfield
Sectional 12 at Decatur Central
Shout out host Decatur Central. The Hawks are 10-6 over their past 16 games. None of the losses were by more than four runs (including 8-7 decisions vs. Noblesville and Franklin Central, and a 9-7 setback to Cascade), while the wins include Franklin (2) and Whiteland (2). Juniors Harlow Estes (42 RBIs, 5 homers) and Kenzie Cummings (.388) and sophomore Mak Wilkerson (.463) fuel a lineup that’s batting .341 collectively.
The favorites here are Center Grove (which will have to navigate DC in the semis, if it beats Southport) and Franklin Central. The Flashes have a slightly clearer path with Perry Meridian and Mooresville, which should allow them to rest ace Kiley Renick ahead of the championship game (Southport did not allow that to happen last season). The stars are coming into line for the now-healthy Flashes, but it’s hard to pick against CG this time of year. Begin familiarizing yourself with freshman Hollie Habertsroh. PICK: Center Grove over Franklin Central
Sectional 13 at Bloomington North
Madi Strange, Kyleigh Walker, Jaleigh Lindley and Kenzie Zigler have Terre Haute North poised for another deep postseason run. Anyone other than the Patriots here would be a surprise. PICK: Terre Haute North over Bloomington South
Sectional 14 at Whiteland
Franklin and Whiteland have the pieces to advance, but both have been up-and-down this season. East Central lost three of five entering Thursday, including a one-run decision vs. Greensburg and an extra-innings affair vs. Cathedral (EC led 6-0 in the third and 7-6 in the eighth). Columbus East, led by junior pitcher Baleigh Fish, entered the final week on a six-game win streak. Who’s the favorite? I have no idea and am open to suggestions (not really, but this is a tough one to handicap). PICK: East Central over Columbus North
CLASS 3A
Sectional 24 at Connersville
May has been unkind to Hamilton Heights, which was 1-5 entering Thursday’s visit from New Palestine (a late addition to the schedule). The strength of schedule was certainly a factor, but Yorktown has established and maintained its place among the state’s best and was undefeated entering the last day of April (lost to April). Give me sophomore ace Olivia Jones and the Tigers — and begin preparing yourselves for Yorktown-Logansport in the regional. PICK: Yorktown over Hamilton Heights
Sectional 25 at Lebanon
Danville is the favorite here and while it was upset by Lebanon in last year’s sectional tournament, the combined score of their two games this year was 34-3. This year’s Warriors have put together a nice body of work, scoring notable wins over Cathedral, Plainfield, McCutcheon, Hamilton Heights and Tri-West. PICK: Danville over Lebanon
Sectional 26 at Bishop Chatard
Defending state champion Cathedral made sure to limit ace Sidney Feczko’s workload throughout the regular season. If all goes according to plan, they will be able to continue doing so throughout sectionals. PICK: Cathedral over Bishop Chatard
Sectional 27 at Cascade
I was impressed by the host Cadets during the Flashes Invite earlier this season. Their bats are good enough to keep them in most games (see that wild 13-11 loss to McCutcheon at FC). Runs will be at a premium vs. Edgewood and ace Ally Bland, though, so the pitching and defense will need to be dialed in next Thursday. PICK: Cascade over Edgewood
Sectional 28 at Indian Creek
The bottom half of this bracket is set up for anarchy. Indian Creek is on a 10-game win streak highlighted by Johnson County tournament wins over Franklin and Center Grove. Its opening round foe, New Palestine, has played a brutal schedule, but struggled to secure a major headline win (they have come close, though). While an IC upset wouldn’t surprise me, I’m betting on the postseason to bring out another level in the Dragons. I flipped a coin for the semifinal vs. Roncalli and am going with Shelbyville’s strength of schedule on the other side. PICK: New Palestine over Shelbyville
CLASS 2A
Sectional 39 at Tipton
I am really excited for the potential rematch between Lapel and Frankton here. They went 11 innings during the regular season and are nearly identical statistically. Ava Zdanowski is accustomed to pitching in these big games for Lapel; Frankton’s found success with its two-headed monster of sophomore Zoey Coppess and senior Grace Kessinger. This one’s a coin flip; feels destined for a similarly close finish to their most recent meeting. PICK: Lapel over Frankton
Sectional 42 at Monrovia
Keep an eye on that Cardinal Ritter lineup led by Owen Finke, who’s averaging .616 with 11 home runs and 29 RBIs. The Raiders should cruise by Park Tudor and could give Monrovia a run for its money. But the Bulldogs’ lineup is deep and pitchers Nevaeh Dillon and Harlow Toole have been good enough to give this team a chance most nights. PICK: Monrovia over Cardinal Ritter
Sectional 43 at Heritage Christian
I thought about picking Triton Central and the upset here, but Eastern Hancock has some really good young talent, specifically freshmen Adalyn Willis (.466, 27 RBIs) and Alivia Willis (4-2, 3.65 ERA, 33 strikeouts), and sophomore Nieko Engleking (7-1, 35 strikeouts). The Royals lineup has been good enough to simply overpower teams this season and I look for that to continue. PICK: Eastern Hancock over Triton Central
CLASS A
Sectional 57 at Liberty Christian
Indiana Deaf has won three straight entering the final week of the regular season. But Daleville is a tough opening draw and Cowan, the other sectional favorite, awaits the winner. PICK: Daleville over Cowan
Sectional 58 at Lutheran
Lutheran has state championship aspirations. Tough to see the Saints falling before semistate. PICK: Lutheran over Eminence
Sectional 59 at Tri
The bracket sets up for a semifinal showdown between Tri and Knightstown, and whoever advances there will be favored in Saturday’s championship game. Tri beat Knightstown, 5-3, in early April, but the Panthers have played a tougher schedule and will test their mettle against Eastern Hancock in the regular-season finale. PICK: Knightstown over Tri
Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen. Get IndyStar’s high school coverage sent directly to your inbox with the High School Sports newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Our Insider makes his picks for Central Indiana softball sectionals
Reporting by Brian Haenchen, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
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