By KEVIN HARRIS
kevin.harris@newsandtribune.com
SOUTH BEND —
The Silver Creek 11-12-year-old Softball All-Stars advanced to the semifinals of the Major Softball State Tournament on Saturday with a 10-2 triumph over Zionsville at Chet Waggoner Little League. Silver Creek finished pool play with a 3-1 record.
Silver Creek’s Alexis Cook went 3-for-3 for the second straight game, scoring three runs. Cook was one hit away from the cycle, as she collected a single, a double and a triple.
Silver Creek’s Kami Pennington, Abby Whitlock and Dana Shields each scored twice.
Silver Creek’s Lexi McAfee was the winning pitcher. In a complete-game effort, McAfee surrendered two runs on five hits with eight strikeouts.
Silver Creek also got some great defense from catcher Zoie Zimmerman. She turned a double play in the fourth inning, as she caught a pop-up bunt at home plate and then fired to first base to pick off a runner. Then in the fifth, Zimmerman picked off another runner at first.
Silver Creek will play Don Ayres Little League from Fort Wayne in the semifinals at 10 a.m. on Monday. If Silver Creek wins, it will play in the championship at 1 p.m. on Monday against either Riverfield Little League from Anderson or Southeast Little League from South Bend.
