By MIKE HUTSELL
Mike.Hutsell@newsandtribune.com
PENDLETON —
Zach Landrum continued his torrid hitting as the New Albany 11-12 Baseball All-Stars advanced in the Indiana State Tournament on Monday in Pendleton, wrapping up pool play unbeaten with a victory over New Prairie Little League 13-2.
Landrum homered, giving him three for the tourney, as New Albany moved into Tuesday’s quarterfinal round.
“We’re just swinging the bats really, really well up here so far,” said New Albany coach John Striegel. “We’ve been really playing well — just hope we can keep it going.”
New Albany will play Highland in the quarterfinals at 6 tonight.
On Sunday, New Albany smacked three home runs as it topped Ben Davis, 11-2.
Landrum, Cal White and Justin Striegel all hit long balls in the victory.
CREEK FALLS SHORT OF TITLE
Silver Creek 11-12 year old softball squad advanced to the state final by beating host State Park in dramatic fashion Sunday morning, 5-4.
In the top of the first Kelsey Roark hit a two-run homer to put Creek up 2-0, then in the top of third Emily Hollis added a solo shot to make it 3-0.
State Park answered with one in their half of the third and three in the bottom of the fifth to take the lead 4-3.
Silver Creek scored two in the top of the sixth thanks to clutch two out RBI hits by Olivia Scarbrough and Bailee Popp. Darcee Rogers preserved the win with a 1-2-3 bottom of the sixth to seal the victory, 5-4.
Silver Creek advance to the finals against Yorktown who they had defested 9-8 on Friday evening. Yorktown’s Morgan Masters hit a two-run homer for Yorktown in the top of the first inning. Silver Creek responded with one run of their own on a RBI double from Kelsey Roark after a walk to Mckenzie Bush, Olivia Scarbrough had a base hit to right only to have Roark thrown out at the plate.
Yorktown added single runs in the second and third one being on another homerun from Masters. Silver Creek missed a golden opportunity in the bottom of the fourth after Roark opened up with a single and Bush walked, the Creekers failed to score leaving the runners stranded at 2nd and 3rd. The Creekers did manage a rally in the bottom of the fifth scoring three times on a hit by Emily Hollis scoring Heather Knight a hit by Roark scoring Hollis and a wild pitch allowing Roark to score.
The game now tied at 4, went to the sixth where Yorktown scored their final and deciding run aided by a walk and an error by Creek. Silver Creek was unable to get anything started in the bottom of the sixth as they went 1-2-3 losing to Yorktown by a final of 5-4.
“We came up a little short of our goal but I am so proud of each and everyone of these girls,” said Silver Creek coach Chris Bush. “We had two games in this state tournament — not to mention our Jeff game in Districts — where we fell behind but kept coming back to find ways win. Even in our loss tonight to come back and tie the score in the fifth was amazing. We are all a little disappointed but after a few days I think we will look at our season as a successful one.”
DISTRICT V SENIORS LOSE FINAL
The District V Senior softball All-Stars saw its quest for a state title come up just short on Sunday as it lost to Hebron-Demotte in the state final, 8-7.
District V committed six errors in the first three innings as Hebron built an 8-0 lead and its late-inning rally came up one-run short.
“Just dug ourselves too much of a hole to get out of,” said District V head coach Donnie Betz. “Those first three innings we threw the ball all over the place and got down, but to our credit we never stopped fighting and clawed our way back. I can’t be prouder because the girls did not quit.”
Kierstin Hall started the rally with a solo home run and Victoria Flaten had two doubles and three RBIs in the setback. Courtney Francisco also had an RBI double for District V.
“I think I underestimated this team going up there,” Betz said. “I didn’t know if we had a chance but it was clear we were one of the best two teams there. We hit the ball in every game we played. Our pitching was there. We just had one game where too many mistakes came back to haunt us.”
Hebron advanced to next week’s Central Regional tournament with the victory.
