Softball sectionals: South, Clopton shutout Greenwood; late run knocks out Eastern Greene

Kinsey Clopton tossed a three-hitter with nine strikeouts and just one walk to keep Greenwood in check as Bloomington South softball won its Class 4A Center Grove Sectional opener, 6-0 on Monday.

The Panthers (13-7) had eight hits, with Sloane Barrett going 2-for-4 and Olivia Roberts driving in two runs. Clopton, who walked twice, and Abby Purtlebaugh each doubled and drove in a run.

South jumped up 3-0 in the top of the first and added a single run in the fourth and two more in the fifth off Greenwood starter Courtney Hankenhoff, who struck out five and walked four. The Woodmen finish 13-12.

The game started with Carly Reed being hit on the first pitch. She stole second before Barrett reached on an infield single before Morgan Cockerill delivered an RBI single. Abby Purtlebaugh walked to load the bases and Roberts slugged a two-run double to center for a 3-0 lead, more than enough cushion for Clopton.

South advances to a semifinal meeting with No. 10 Center Grove (21-6) at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, followed by North (5-19) vs. No. 6 Mooresville (22-6).

The Pioneers rolled by Martinsville, 14-0, in five innings as ace Reagan Bauer tossed a perfect game with nine strikeouts to end the Artesians' season at 8-19.

Mooresville had 13 hits as Maddie Pierini went 3-for-3 with four RBI and Cierra Cramer went 2-for-3 with three RBI.

2A South Knox Sectional

Eastern Greene lost a 5-4 heartbreaker as North Knox came up with the winning run in the top of the seventh inning in their sectional opener at South Knox.

The T-Birds (7-14) tied the game up with a four-run bottom of the fifth, only to see the Warriors (13-8) strike in the top of the seventh and spoiled a four-hitter by Addie Ramey, who struck out eight. Only one of the runs allowed was earned as Eastern committed four errors.

Eastern had seven hits and drew five walks and stole three bases. Melanie Wyatt went 2-for-2 and Jessica Hovious had two RBI. Ramey and Bianca Wyatt each had an RBI as well.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Softball sectionals: South blanks Greenwood; Eastern Greene KOd in 7th