CHARLESTOWN — The Silver Creek 9-10-year-old Softball All-Stars booked their trip to the Minor Softball State Tournament on Saturday evening at Charlestown Little League Park with a come-from-behind 15-7 victory over New Albany in the District V tournament championship.

“I’m so proud of them. They are a joy to coach,” said Silver Creek head coach Paul Cravens, who also lauded the work of his assistant coaches, Nate Gibson and Clayton O’Connell. “They represent the town of Sellersburg well. When the girls came up here, they wanted to continue to put banners up for Silver Creek softball.”

Trailing 5-1 in the bottom of the second inning, Silver Creek (5-0) answered by putting six runs on the scoreboard to take a 7-5 lead. The key hits in the frame for Creek were a two-run single by Elayna Balinget and RBI singles by Bailey Cravens and Kira Gibson.

New Albany (4-1) pulled within 7-6 in the top of the third on a RBI base hit by Madison Lawson that plated Kelsi Sogge.

But Silver Creek responded with four runs in the bottom half to extend its advantage to 11-6. The highlights during the frame were a Balinget RBI double and Balinget and Bailey Cravens both scoring on an error.

Silver Creek added three more runs in the bottom of the fourth. Breanna Lovins collected a two-run single, and Balinget had an RBI base hit.

“We knew we would come ready to play, but our defense helped them,” New Albany head coach Kevin Vormbrock said. “They manufacture runs so well.”

New Albany tallied two runs in the first on back-to-back RBI singles by Dani Grant and Lexi Flannery.

After Silver Creek scored one run in the bottom of the first, New Albany tacked on three more runs in the second. Kelsey Adams smacked a two-RBI triple, followed by a one-run single by Ariahana McNeary.

Balinget went 3-for-3 with four RBIs and three runs scored. Kira Gibson was 2-for-2 with a triple and two runs scored. Lovins and Bailey Cravens both tallied two runs, and Silver Creek’s Jordan Balz was 2-for-4.

Bailey Cravens was the winning pitcher in relief. She threw the final 4 1/3 innings, giving up two runs (one earned) on five hits with six strikeouts and two walks.

“When Bailey came in, she settled things down,” Paul Cravens said. “She hit her spots. When it is 0-2 and we ask her to go outside, she does it. We could not ask for anything more from her.”

For New Albany, Lawson and Adams each went 3-for-4 and McNeary and Grant both were 2-for-3. Adams scored three runs and had two RBIs, while McNeary drove in a pair of runs.

Silver Creek will begin pool play in the state tournament on Wednesday.



9-10 BASEBALL

• New Albany rolls past Jeff/GRC: Kevin Smith went 4-for-4 with two doubles, a home run and two runs scored to lead New Albany past Jeff/GRC in five innings, 14-2. Smith drilled a three-run homer in the second.

Teammates Cooper Biven and Hayden Krebs each went 3-for-3. Biven scored three runs and hit two doubles, while Krebs scored twice.

Biven also was the winning pitcher in a starting role. In four innings of work, he yielded no hits and four walks with six strikeouts.

Also for New Albany (3-0), David Newbanks was 2-for-4 and Andrew Ricketts had two runs scored.

Jeff/GRC (2-1) only had two hits as Andrew Fifer and Benjamin Harbeson each collected a single.

New Albany will play Scott County at 8 p.m. on Monday. Jeff/GRC will face Scott County at 8 p.m. on Wednesday.

• Silver Creek beats Scott County: Kyle Snell allowed six hits in a complete-game effort in Silver Creek’s 10-1 win over Scott County. Snell struck out five and walked one.

Connor Farnsley led the Silver Creek bats, going 3-for-3 with three runs scored. Teammate Chris Burke was 2-for-3 with two runs scored, and Silver Creek’s Dylan Murphy was 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored.

Silver Creek (1-2) will take on Clarksville at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

• Jeff/GRC downs Charlestown: On Friday, Cody Short had two hits, including a triple, and two runs scored in Jeff/GRC’s 10-3 win over Charlestown.

Teammate Bradley Foster smacked two hits. Harbeson scored three runs, while Jeff/GRC’s Dylan Thomas came home twice. Jeff/GRC’s Markez Jordan got the win on the mound.

Charlestown’s Andrew Snider had two hits. Charlestown (0-2) will play Highlander Youth Recreation at 8 p.m. on Tuesday.



13-14 BASEBALL

• Silver Creek-New Albany game postponed: Saturday’s game between Silver Creek and New Albany was postponed because of rain. It has been rescheduled for 4:30 this afternoon.

Tonight’s 13-year-old baseball championship between New Albany and Silver Creek will start at 8. It was originally scheduled for 6:30 p.m.