By GREG MENGELT
Greg.Mengelt@newsandtribune.com
JEFFERSONVILLE —
The 15-16-year-old District V softball team earned a spot in today’s state championship game in Elkhart.
District V topped Hebron DeMotte 8-7 on Saturday and will face DeMotte again today for the state crown. District V and DeMotte were the top two teams after pool play.
District V — comprised of players from Clark and Floyd Counties — overcame an early 2-0 deficit with a three-run second inning. The big hit came from Kasey Betz, who had a two-RBI double with the bases loaded for District V’s first lead.
The locals increased the lead to 5-2 with an Amber Perez two-run double in the fourth inning before DeMotte used a home run to regain the lead, 6-5, after five innings.
District V took the lead for good in the bottom of the sixth inning when Amber Francisco and Kierstin Hall, who both singled, were driven home by a Betz single.
Betz finished with four RBIs and Perez added three. Samantha Abrahamson went 3-for-3 and scored three times for the victors.
“We hit the ball very well against a really good team,” District V coach Donnie Betz said.
Kasey Betz picked up the win after pitching the final three innings. She relieved Emily Gray, who threw the first four frames.
“Both of them did a super job,” Coach Betz said of his two pitchers.
