INDIANAPOLIS – Center Grove softball was impressive on Wednesday in its Class 4A Sectional 12 opener. But there is more out there for the Trojans.
“I don’t think we’ve seen our best game yet, and that’s what I’m challenging,” Center Grove coach Alyssa Coleman said.
Sixth-ranked Center Grove took down Mooresville 13-3 to take any drama out of the sectional championship game. Just a day earlier, the Pioneers upset Franklin Central in the semifinal. Mooresville went just 1-7 in their final eight games before their impressive victory over the Flashes on Tuesday.
For Center Grove, the win streak is now six games. During the streak, the Trojans have outscored opponents by a total of 61-14 and would appear to be a strong contender for the 4A state championship at Purdue’s Bittinger Stadium next month.
The Trojans’ bats were in rhythm all night, accounting for 14 total hits across nine different batters.
“I just think they’re getting more and more disciplined,” Coleman said of her lineup. “They love to hit, and they love to hit it hard.”
In the top of the first, Center Grove got five different batters on base and finished with two hits and a 4-0 early lead. The Trojans continued their momentum on the defensive side as pitcher Riley Fuhr struck out three batters, only giving up one single to keep Center Grove up four runs at the conclusion of the inning.
The bats kept ringing in the top of the second, as the Trojans put together another four runs and tallied another five hits. Entering the game just moments before, Mooresville pitcher Dani Gilman ended the offensive surge with an impressive catch on a line out.
Gilman brought a spark to the Pioneers, holding Center Grove scoreless for the first time in the third. In the bottom of the inning, Brooklynn Chambers gets on base with a double and then scored Mooresville’s first run of the evening.
After a brief hiatus, the Trojans offense recharged in top of the fourth. First, Olivia Alvey walked, and then Kiersten Hardin reached with a single. Braelee Burskey brought them both home with a double of her own. Then, after a Brooklyn Widegren bunt, Indiana commit Brynn Meyer tripled. Two more singles led to two more runs.
For the Pioneers, Aliyah Ahaus was able to make her way around the bases after she walked, and Mattingly Hutchison singled for Mooresville’s lone run in the bottom of the fourth.
In the fifth and final inning of the evening, the Trojans were held scoreless. Tatum Humphrey of Mooresville completed an impressive inside the park home run for the Pioneers’ final run of the contest.
In their victory, the Trojans were able to get 15 different players a chance in the batter’s box, while also getting three different pitchers into the game. Coach Coleman spoke on how this can help their group going forward.
“It’s really nice when we could get that lead to give them that taste, because you don’t know who you are going to need,” she said.
Center Grove will continue their state tournament on Tuesday with a regional championship on the line, this time against the winner of Brownsburg vs. Plainfield in Sectional 11. The Trojans defeated Brownsburg in one prior meeting this season; they have not yet played Plainfield.
“We know where we want to go,” said Coleman.
After a 2-0 loss to Crown Point in last year’s state finals, this Trojan group looks poised and under control as they look to make another deep playoff run.
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: IHSAA softball sectional: Center Grove defeats Mooresville for title