JEFFERSONVILLE — The Jeffersonville baseball team roughed up Madison’s Ryan Thurston for 12 hits in a six-inning, 11-1 victory at home to open the Hoosier Hills Conference Tournament on Monday.
“The offense is something that I knew was there,” Jeff coach Matthew Rigsby said. “I knew it’s been there all year. Our schedule has been so intense that it’s gotten a lot of those kids discouraged about their offense. It’s one of those things where they know where they’re at now. They’ve taken their lumps ... and now they’re playing together.”
Jeffersonville scored five runs in the first inning and four more in the third to put the game out of reach early on.
“We looked to go opposite-field against Thurston, and that’s exactly what they did,” Rigsby said. “That’s how we got those five runs in the first, and that’s how we plan to win the sectional, too.”
Isaac Crafton gave Thurston — an All-State selection last season — fits, going 3-for-4 with a double, a triple, a home run and three RBIs.
“I know this is going to be a big statement, but I honest to God think he’s the best hitter in the state,” Rigsby said.
Crafton’s batting average is now over .600 on the season, Rigsby estimated. Crafton is 17-for-19 in Jeff’s last three games.
Also for Jeff, Nick Gallagher was 2-for-4 with an RBI, while Josh Burke was 2-for-3 with three RBIs, including the knock to end the game in the home sixth.
Gallagher was the winning pitcher of record for Jeff, going three innings. He struck out one and allowed two hits. After the Red Devils’ Mark Meyer got through the fourth without surrendering a hit, teammate Aaron Wenger took to the mound to close out the game, striking out five in two innings of work.
Jeffersonville (9-6) will host the winner of the Floyd Central-New Albany game on Wednesday in the tournament semifinals.
• Silver Creek outduels Charlestown: Silver Creek capitalized on five Charlestown errors in a 4-1 victory at Silver Creek on Monday.
Lucas Barnett struck out eight batters in a complete-game effort for the Dragons.
“Lucas had better control today, which allowed him to throw fewer pitches and get the complete-game win,” Silver Creek assistant coach Scott Jennings said.
Shae Durham led the Silver Creek offense with a 2-for-4 performance. He knocked in two runs.
Darren Taylor took the loss for the Pirates. Charlestown pitching allowed just five hits in the game.
Silver Creek (15-5, 6-1 Mid-Southern Conference) will host Scottsburg on Thursday. Charlestown (11-6, 2-4) will host Providence on Wednesday.
• Henryville embarrassed at Lanesville: Nearly two weeks after shutting out Lanesville, Henryville got a taste of its own medicine in a 16-6 road loss on Monday.
“First of all, it’s the same old story we’ve had all season, and that’s in regard to walks and errors,” Henryville coach Jeff Schroeder said. “Tonight, we walked 13 batters and we made six errors, so that’s 19 free baserunners that they get. You cannot win games doing that.
“Secondly, we’re just not very good. Honestly, we’re just not a very good team, because good teams are mentally tougher than what we are. They play with some passion and enthusiasm, and we do that like once every three games.”
The game lasted six innings and ended after the Eagles plastered the Hornets for five runs in the final frame.
After building a three-run lead to open the game, Henryville saw its hard work negated in a six-run home first. The Eagles never looked back.
“I seriously thought about our kids passing a hat around to take a collection to pay back the people who came from Henryville to watch our game tonight, to pay for their gas money, because it was that embarrassing. It was ridiculous,” Schroeder said.
Hornets’ pitcher Dakota Harrell failed to make it out of the first inning, walking four batters.
Henryville (8-9) will host Borden on Wednesday.
• Clarksville falls to Brownstown: Resuming a game that was suspended on April 30, Clarksville managed to outscore the visiting Braves on the day but still fell to Brownstown, 7-5.
Brownstown had led 4-0 with one out in the top of the third when the game was delayed.
“We beat them today,” Clarksville coach Chris Kane said. “(It was) just unfortunate circumstances.”
The Generals managed to put together runs in the home third, fourth and fifth innings, but couldn’t get enough going to overcome a three-run Brownstown fifth.
Clarksville did not commit a single error in the game, giving the team a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing loss.
“Our defense was pretty good,” Kane said. “I was pleased with our effort.”
Clarksville (8-12) will host Crawford County on Wednesday.
SOFTBALL
• Floyd Central batters Madison: Floyd Central tuned up Madison to the tune of 14 hits in an 11-5 road victory in the opening round of the HHC Tournament on Monday.
“I thought we played a really fine ballgame,” Floyd coach Joe Witten said. “The girls hit the ball solid several times. We ran the bases aggressively and made some good defensive plays.”
Kallie Krammes led the Highlanders with a 3-for-5 performance, knocking home four baserunners.
Also for the Highlanders, Katelin Dreher went 3-for-5 with one RBI, Kate Kaiser was 2-for-3 with an RBI, Hailee Fults was 2-for-5 with two RBIs and Alyssa Ford — in her first varsity start — was 2-for-2 with two walks and two RBI.
Floyd Central’s Caroline Cato went 6 2/3 innings to earn the win in the circle. She struck out four and walked one, allowing three earned runs on eight hits.
“Although we had three errors, they weren’t as costly as they could have been,” Witten said. “I was really impressed with the girls who don’t get as much time and put up some big numbers, like Hailee Fults and Alyssa Ford. Both played a really fine ballgame.”
Floyd Central will host the winner of the Jeff-Jennings County game at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
• Pirates stay in first place in MSC: Charlestown pulled another victory closer to its first Mid-Southern Conference title since 1998 with a 6-4 win at Salem.
It was a big day for Pirate junior Alyssa Price. She went 3-for-3 with five RBIs, including two home runs. Price’s first homer was in the fourth inning, as she led off the frame with a solo shot to right-center field to put Charlestown (16-3, 7-1 MSC) up 1-0. In the next frame with the Pirates up 2-0, Price launched a one-out grand slam over the left-center fence.
Charlestown starting pitcher Alli Webster tossed a complete game to improve to 15-3. The junior allowed four runs (two earned) on four hits, striking out 12 and walking seven.
“I thought we played pretty well,” Pirates’ head coach Kevin Zollman said. “We came out sluggish, but then we started putting the bat on the ball. When you get the leadoff batter on, it helps.”
Charlestown can clinch at least a share of the MSC championship on Thursday when it travel to Eastern.
• Providence comes back at E-town: Providence overcame a 2-0 deficit and a four-inning scoring drought to down host Elizabethtown (Ky.) on Monday, 9-3.
The Pioneers erupted for five innings in the away fifth to put the game out of reach.
“Their pitcher was pretty good, so we did a good job of making her work,” Providence coach Sean Payne said.
Meredith Endris led the Providence offense with a 3-for-4 performance that included a double and two RBIs.
Also for the Pioneers, Morgan Habermel was 2-for-3 with three RBIs and Jordyn Stengel and Lillian Hughes each had 2-for-4 days.
Sierra Collett collected the win for Providence, working 6 1/3 innings. She struck out six walked three and hit a batter.
Providence (12-11) will host South Central on Wednesday.
• Jeff-Jennings postponed: The Jeff-Jennings County game in the quarterfinals of the HHC tournament has been postponed.
The game will be played at 5:30 p.m. today at Jennings County. Should the Red Devils win, they will play at Floyd Central on Wednesday.
• Borden splits doubleheader with Shoals: On Saturday, host Borden shut out Shoals in the first game of a doubleheader, 2-0 before losing Game 2, 11-2.
Shelbie Farvour was the winning pitcher in the opener, improving her record to 5-6. The Braves (5-7) also showed improvement on defense in the first game, committing only three errors.
“It might be the best game we have put together this year,” Borden assistant coach Mac Spainhour said. “We have been telling the girls that if we can cut down on the errors, we can win more games. We hope they understand how important defense is in softball.”
The Braves will host New Washington a week from today.
GIRLS’ TENNIS
• Floyd Central rolls: Floyd Central cruised through the first round of the HHC Tournament with a 5-0 home win over Bedford North Lawrence on Monday.
The Highlanders only surrendered three games in the entire match.
Olivia Boesing, Carmen Schreiber and the doubles team of Katherine Dauby and Whitney Batliner got through their matches without surrendering a single game, while Dana Frank and the team of Kadey Welch and Chelsea Shackelford also easily won.
The Highlanders celebrated Senior Night for Shackelford, Welch and Schreiber, who have the distinction of the highest winning percentage of any varsity senior class in school history.
“They’ve had great careers, and they need to be recognized for what they’ve accomplished,” Floyd Central coach Rick Miller said.
Floyd Central will travel to play the winner of the Jeff-Seymour match on Wednesday.
• Borden sweeps Charlestown: Borden captured two three-set triumphs in doubles action to sweep host Charlestown, 5-0.
At No. 1 doubles, the Braves’ tandem of Erika Frascella and Sarah Hurst rallied to defeat Erica Broady and Emily Shaw, 5-7, 6-3, 6-2. At two doubles, Borden’s Morgan Mast and Paige Kruer outdueled Bailey Masingo and Hayley Trinkle, 6-3, 5-7, 6-1.
Braves’ senior Erin Mikel cruised past the Pirates’ Sabine Higazy at No. 1 singles, 6-0, 6-0. At two singles, senior Allison Rademacher upended Charlestown’s Sarah Embry, 6-2, 6-4. Borden’s Abby Ellis won at No. 3 singles, 6-1, 6-0.
“Sarah Embry played a close match at No. 2 singles,” Pirates’ assistant coach Holly Jones said. “Unfortunately, we lost many key points in today’s match that could have put us ahead in certain positions.”
The Braves will travel to Henryville on Thursday. Charlestown hosts New Washington today.
• Hornets down Trinity Lutheran: Henryville swept both doubles positions to down Trinity Lutheran, 4-1.
The Hornets’ No. 1 doubles tandem of seniors Casey Guernsey and Katie Cleveland, who both normally play singles, defeated Makala Willman and Lindsey Weaver, 3-6, 6-1, 6-3. At No. 2 doubles, Henryville’s Natalie Bobay and Alicia Lindley downed Shelby Nierman and Anna Nagino, 6-2, 6-2.
The Hornets’ Shelby Sinn defeated Brennyn Pollert at three singles, 6-1, 6-3. At No. 2 singles, Henryville’s Lauren Sinn won by default.
“Shelby and Lauren did a great job today in their first varsity matches at singles,” said Hornets’ head coach Brian Consley, whose team is now 8-5. “They were moved into singles to allow my two seniors, Katie and Casey, an opportunity to play doubles together for a match. They started off a little rough, but came back to earn a well-deserved three-set victory.”
• Mustangs fall to Rebels: Even though two of its losses were in three sets, host New Washington suffered a 4-1 setback to Southwestern.
The Mustangs’ lone point came at No. 1 doubles, as Alex Seals and Ashley Johnson fell to the Rebels’ Jordan Worchester and Kearstin Bruther, 6-4, 6-3.
New Washington’s two three-set losses were in singles action. At No. 1 singles, the Mustangs’ Courtney Amick fell to Abbey Garrett, 6-1, 2-6, 6-3. At No. 3 singles, New Washington’s Melanie Dieterlen lost to Alex Helton, 3-6, 6-4, 7-5.
“We played pretty well against a good team today,” said Mustangs’ head coach Wayne Davis, whose squad is 2-7. “At one point, we thought we had a chance to pull it out, but just couldn’t get it done. All in all though, I saw several improvements that I’ve been looking for.”
• Pioneers win Delphi Invitational: On Saturday, Providence won the Delphi Invitational in north central Indiana, scoring 25 points.
The Pioneers claimed individual titles at two positions. Junior Jacqueline Hollkamp won the No. 1 singles title, defeating Twin Lakes’ Holly Adams in the championship match 6-0, 6-0.
The Providence doubles tandem of Kelsey Haas and Megan Jakoby captured the No. 1 doubles title. In the championship match, the Pioneer pair completed a 3-0 day by ousting Seeger’s Bridget McGowen and Emmie Stevens, 6-1, 6-0.
Providence’s No. 2 doubles tandem of Kristin Simms and Sarah Federspiel finished second. At No. 2 singles, the Pioneers’ Maggie Bremmer lost in the first round, 6-0, 6-1.
“I was very pleased for the entire team,” Providence head coach Vince DiNoto said. “We played teams from northern Indiana that we don’t get to play and did a very good job. Losing only two matches the entire day spoke well for how we played.”
The Pioneers will travel to Silver Creek on Thursday.
BOYS’ GOLF
• Highlanders win Big 4: Fifth-ranked Floyd Central had three players shoot in the 30s to win the Big 4 tournament on Monday at Champions Pointe Golf Club in Memphis. The Highlanders wound up firing a team score of 154.
Providence finished second with a 169, followed by New Albany in third with a 180 and Jeffersonville in fourth with a 188.
Junior Daniel Shepard and senior Austin Peckham led the Highlanders, each shooting a 1-over-par 37. Teammate Jack Sparrow fired a 39, Floyd Central junior Devin Jenkins carded a 41 and senior Jay Holderman chipped in a 42.
Pioneer senior Bryce Very earned medalist honors with an even-par 36. Rounding out the scoring for the Providence were Cory Cahalan with a 39, Mitchell Allender and Elliott Happel each with a 47 and Robert Waiz with a 49.
Corey Embry paced the Bulldogs with a 40. Rounding out the scoring for New Albany were Tyler Banet with a 43, Damon Nelson with a 46 and Dustin Miller with a 51.
Leading the Red Devils was senior Zack Lovan with a 39. Also for Jeff, Dalton Naiser had a 47, Jordan Lacy shot a 49, Dillion Willis scored a 53 and Blayze Damron fired a 55.
• Henryville tops at Champions Pointe: Henryville scored a 182 to win a triangular meet against South Central and Christian Academy of Indiana at Champions Pointe on Monday.
Henryville’s Evan Embry took medalist honors with a 38.
Also for the Hornets, Mitchell Fields and Cody Gray each shot a 46, Cameron Furnish carded a 52 and Bailey Reister had a 61.
For CAI, Jason Arrell led the way with a 41. Travis Jones shot a 62, Joe Melton hit a 69 and Luke Curry put down a 70.
Henryville and CAI will meet again on Thursday at Hidden Creek Golf Club.
BOYS’ TRACK
• Providence wins at Faulkner Relays: Providence’s 98 points were enough to place first at the Faulkner Relays at Clarksville High School last Thursday.
Providence came in ahead of Salem and Madison, which placed second and third, respectively.
Silver Creek placed fourth with 65 points, Borden was seventh with 33, while Charlestown, Henryville, Clarksville and New Washington finished ninth through 12th, in that order.
Providence posted first-place finishes in the sprint medley relay, the 1,600, the freshman combo 400 relay and the discus events. The Pioneers tied with Charlestown in the 100-meter dash for a fifth set of blue ribbons.
Providence’s time of 52.27 in the freshman combo 400 was a new Faulkner Relays record.
The Pioneers also had top-six finishes in the 100 dash, the 300 hurdles, the varsity 400 relay, the 800 relay, the distance medley relay, the freshman combo 1,600 relay, the varsity 1,600 relay and the shot put.
Silver Creek posted first-place finishes in the distance medley relay and the freshman combo 1,600 relay. The Dragons’ time of 3:58.39 in the freshman combo 1,600 was a new Faulkner Relays message.
New Washington placed first in the throwers’ 400 relay, while Henryville was first in the shot put.
GIRLS’ TRACK
• Providence victorious at Faulkner Relays: Providence scored 109 points to take first at the Faulkner Relays at Clarksville last Thursday.
The Pioneers bested Salem and Madison, the second- and third-place finishers, respectively.
Henryville scored 66 points, good enough for fourth. Silver Creek was seventh, Borden was eighth, New Washington placed ninth and Charlestown took 10th.
The Pioneers broke meet records in three events. Their time of 1:57.24 was a record breaker in the sprint medley relay. The freshman combo relay team’s time of 52.27 was a new record, as was the varsity 1,600 relay team’s time of 4:17.87.
Providence also had first-place finishes in the 300 hurdles (1:43.87), the varsity 400 relay (52.43) and the 800 relay (1:54.54).
Silver Creek’s lone first-place finish was one for the record books, as the Dragons broke a meet record in the freshman combo 1,600 relay with a time of 3:58.39.
Other first-place finishes went to New Washington in the 100 dash, Borden in the shot put and Henryville in the long jump.
