No. 1 Gibson Southern softball makes a statement with Class 3A sectional title performance

BOONVILLE, Ind. — Gary May asked a question of his team before the Class 3A sectional championship.

“What’s the worst that could happen?

The Gibson Southern coach knew their answer. He witnessed it the previous two nights at Mike Wilson Field. The Titans won both games but played with a fear of losing. It was quite the contrast compared to a strong regular season from the Pocket Athletic Conference champions.

More: Scores, schedule for IHSAA softball sectionals across Southwestern Indiana

“You can’t be afraid to lose,” he responded.

The response was befitting of the lofty expectations set upon this group. No. 1 Gibson Southern defeated county rival Princeton 14-1 in five innings on Wednesday to win the 3A sectional title. A matchup against Heritage Hills or Jasper awaits next week in the regional.

The Titans (26-4) recorded 15 hits and scored six runs in the first inning. No doubt. All business.

“They sure took it right to them,” said May. “I’m not so sure we’re not getting better. We had two real tough games, which was good for us. Our defense is getting a little better. Our pitching is getting better. If our hitting starts picking back up again? We are where we need to be."

The first two postseason victories were tougher than some anticipated. Carly Potts pitched a one-hit shutout in a 3-0 victory over Boonville. Gibson Southern followed with a 4-2 win against Memorial in the semifinal. The Titans only registered five hits, and the Tigers had the winning run at the plate in the seventh.

The tone was set early in the championship. Lauryn Adamson hit a RBI triple and Ally Malone laced a two-run double to highlight a six-spot on the scoreboard. If any doubt or nerves existed – there are multiple freshmen in the lineup – they disappeared quickly.

“We were the ones ready to attack,” said Malone. “We played with no fear and took care of business early. If we get into attack mode at the plate, our offense can really explode for some runs.”

The six runs weren’t the only talking point from the opening frame. Malone hammered a ball foul in her second trip to the plate. It hit May, who was standing close to third base to talk with a runner, square in the arm. There was worry it broke a bone, but only a bad skin abrasion. It did require a lot of ice and bandage.

May didn’t leave the game but took a few more steps back. He recalled a similar moment against Boonville in the regular season when he narrowly avoided a line drive in the same spot.

“I never moved,” said May. “I try to stay back but can’t react. I’m getting too old. It just ripped the skin. I don’t know if I’m tough enough or dumb enough (to stay in).”

Adamson went 3 for 4 and Malone had two doubles to plate four runs. Miley Sperling, Laney Scherer, Callie Dickerson and Emerson Walker also had multiple hits. The Titans’ 14 runs were their most since May 2. The 15 hits more than the last two games combined.

Ashton Cox drove in the only run for the Tigers (16-11) with a single in the third.

“We weren’t confident at the plate,” Adamson said of the previous two games. “We were a little nervous coming in with a lot of underclassmen on the roster. (In the championship), we let lose and had fun. It was a great team win.”

Tecumseh, Barr-Reeve win Class 1A sectional championships

One of the best games from the 2023 season will get a rematch.

No. 1 Tecumseh won its third straight sectional title with a 10-3 victory over Northeast Dubois. The Braves (21-9) hammered 15 hits including home runs from Jenna Donohoo and Melanie Pfeiffer. Tecumseh scored four in the opening frame and led by as many as nine.

Donohoo was 3 for 4 with four RBIs and Pfeiffer added a double plus three RBIs. Taylor Ash went 3 for 4 with a double and four runs scored. The two-time defending state champions have won 10 straight dating back to the Warrick County Showcase on May 4.

No. 9 Barr-Reeve defeated North Daviess 5-1 in the other area 1A sectional. Karlye Graber allowed only two hits and struck out 12 for the Vikings, who extended their sectional streak to three. Addison Jones led the offense with two hits and a walk.

Tecumseh defeated Barr-Reeve last year in the regional, a 3-2 eight-inning battle. That game ended with Katelyn Marx throwing out the tying run at the plate. The rematch will be Tuesday at Tecumseh.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Gibson Southern, Tecumseh, Barr-Reeve win IHSAA softball sectionals