Another notable week of softball has passed in the Southern Indiana Athletic Conference and Pocket Athletic Conference. In the SIAC, Mater Dei went 3-0, which included an upset win against the PAC’s top team Tecumseh that put an end to the Braves’ six-game winning streak. And in a matchup between two teams that came in undefeated in SIAC play, Vincennes Lincoln took down Memorial in Evansville, 8-3.
In the PAC, Tecumseh had a loaded week of games, six and counting with more to come in Kentucky Saturday morning in the Owensboro Catholic Classic. Outside of the loss to Mater Dei, Tecumseh has looked like their normal selves. Gibson Southern and Boonville have also stood out.
To start the week, thunderstorms came through the region and caused postponements and delays on April 27 and 28. Tecumseh and Gibson Southern, the PAC’s top two, were set to meet at the start of the week.
And finally, IHSAA sectional pairings week is here with brackets being announced on the evening of May 3. Much to get into, so let’s begin.
SIAC: Vincennes Lincoln
Vincennes Lincoln (16-1) went 5-0 this week and extended its SIAC record to 6-0.
It started with an emphatic shutout win against Harrison, scoring 16 runs. In the game, the Alices were led by Grace Archer who went 3-5 with two RBIs and hit a home run. The Wabash Valley commit continues to lead by example.
Then, what followed was an 8-3 win at North Daviess where Sophia Cleghorn’s 3-4, three run stat line led Vincennes Lincoln. At Terre Haute South Vigo came the Alices’ closest game of the week, an 8-6 win. Vincennes Lincoln were led by Cleghorn again who finished the game with another 3-4 performance plus 2 RBIs.
At Reitz, Olivia Lange’s 2-3 and two RBI showing led the Alices to a 10-5 victory. And at Memorial, Lange was productive again going 2-3, this time with three RBIs to go alongside it in the 8-3 win.
Vincennes Lincoln have continued to show the depth of their hitting this season. Next week, a big matchup awaits at Castle — the only remaining undefeated team in conference play.
SIAC: Mater Dei
Mater Dei (11-5) went 3-0 this week. Even more impressive, the Wildcats allowed zero runs total in the three games.
A 7-0 win against Harrison started it off. Contributions from Macy Lankford and pitcher Addi Boots led Mater Dei to victory. Lankford went 2-3 with one run and Boots finished with 5 strikeouts to go along with a 2-2, one run performance at the plate.
Next up was the shutout at Tecumseh. The Braves were without Audrey Seiler’s pitching prowess. Regardless, Mater Dei’s ability to shut down Tecumseh’s batters is no easy feat. Again, Lankford was instrumental in the victory as the senior finished 3-3 with two home runs.
A 4-0 win against North Posey followed. Boots made her mark in this one with 8 strikeouts.
A matchup this weekend is still to come as the Wildcats take on Terre Haute North Vigo. Next week, a matchup to watch for comes on April 7 at Memorial.
Other SIAC news
Castle (14-3-1) took care of business this week and extended its SIAC record to 5-0.
It began with a 5-0 win against Central where Danielle Neel’s 3-3, one run performance led the Knights. And in a matchup with Reitz came a 17-9 win where Emma Bruggenschmidt made an impression with two home runs on 3-4 hitting.
Still to come is Jasper this weekend where Castle will host. Next week, Castle not only plays Vincennes Lincoln but also Memorial. Facing two of the SIAC’s top three should serve as a fair assessment for where the Knights are in relation.
PAC: Boonville
Boonville (13-10) finished the week 2-1 and have won seven of its last eight games.
Against South Spencer, the Pioneers won 13-3. They were led by Remi Campbell’s five RBI, 3-3 performance.
Next, a 12-0 win against Tell City. Mia Clamme contributed six strikeouts in four innings for Boonville and Campbell’s 2-3, two run performance played a factor.
An 11-0 loss to Floyd Central followed. The Pioneers were unable to get much going against a team atop its conference in 4A.
Overall, Boonville has done well to put as many wins together as they have of late. A big test next week at Tecumseh will be telling.
PAC: Tecumseh
Tecumseh (13-3) went 2-1 this week and are winners of eight of its last nine outings. They maintain the PAC’s top spot.
A 4-0 loss against Mater Dei started the week for the Braves. They were led in hits by Avery Long who went 2-3 in the game.
Tecumseh emphatically got back to its winning ways a day later at Mt. Vernon, a 21-0 win.
Melanie Pfeiffer led the way with eight strikeouts in five innings. At bat, the Braves got contributions across the board with Long going 3-4 with four runs, Breann Harris going 3-3 with four RBIs and Madelyn Jones going 2-2 with 3 RBIs. Just to name a few.
Then, Tecumseh made its way to Kentucky and earned a 5-3 win on the first of May. Leading the way was Long who went 3-3 with two runs. More games to come this weekend in Owensboro against Meade County and Marshall County.
Other PAC news
Gibson Southern (15-6) went 2-0 this week and earned another PAC win.
That win came against Mt. Vernon, 3-2, where Brooklyn Turpin’s 13 strikeouts led the way.
Then, a 6-3 win at Henderson County would follow. The Titans were led by Carly Potts who hit a home run and went 2-3 at bat.
Next week, five games are on the schedule for Gibson Southern: Princeton, Wood Memorial, Washington, Reitz and Sullivan.
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: What we learned from Southwestern Indiana high school softball games this week
Reporting by Markos Tsegaye, Evansville Courier & Press / Evansville Courier & Press
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