By RICHIE HALL
GREENWOOD – Coming into the Class 3A softball state finals, Guerin Catholic was averaging 8.5 runs per game.
It would take an incredible defensive effort for a team to stop the No. 2-ranked Golden Eagles. And that’s just what No. 10-ranked Boonville did in the weather-delayed state championship game, which started Friday night and finished Saturday morning at Center Grove.
The Pioneers held off Guerin Catholic for the entire game, which then scored a walk-off run in the seventh inning to claim the 3A state title 1-0. Boonville thus won its second state championship, while the Golden Eagles had to settle for the runner-up trophy.
The game didn’t begin until 10:30 p.m. due to weather delays that also affected the previous game, the 1A championship between Northfield and Clay City. Northfield won that game 3-1.
While Guerin wasn’t able to score any runs, its offense still looked solid. The Golden Eagles got seven hits on the night, and loaded the bases in three different innings. But in each of those innings, the Pioneers made big plays to keep Guerin Catholic from scoring.
“They made plays when they had to and their pitcher stepped up when she had to and make some big pitches in some crucial situations,” said GC coach Jeff Buckner. “All year, we were able to push one or two of those across and tonight we gave it a good try, but we just couldn’t get one across. And they did.”
The game began with leadoff hitter Ana Macha hitting a single to get on base, and she would eventually get to third base after Victoria Flores reached on error. Alicia Flores drew a two-out walk to get on base, but a groundout ended the scoring threat.
Julia Hartley led off the fifth inning with a single, then moved to third after Aliyah Dorsey and Izzy Kemp were both walked. Boonville pitcher Ariel Thomasson ended that one by making a groundout.
The Golden Eagles tried again in the sixth inning. Sarah Dilley and Hartley both got on base by separate fielder’s choices, then Macha laid down a perfect bunt to load the bases. But a center field catch by Boonville’s Madison Hill stopped Guerin Catholic from getting a run.
Kirsten Mascari caught a certain base hit to begin the bottom of the sixth inning, then Kemp threw two strikeouts to finish the inning. The Pioneers took care of business in the top of the seventh, inducing a double play to get the second and third outs.
Boonville then made quick work of the bottom of the seventh. Jayce Purdy smacked a triple into right field, and Randi Jo Pryor got her home right away with a fielder’s choice bunt.
Macha and Hartley both had two hits for the Golden Eagles. Meanwhile, Kemp was her dominant self on the mound, throwing 13 strikeouts against two hits and one walk.
Guerin Catholic finished the season 25-3, but got quite a bit accomplished in those 25 wins. The Golden Eagles’ other two losses were both to Roncalli, which plays Lake Central tonight in the Class 4A state championship game.
“These guys have been unbelievable all year,” said Buckner. “They came in here 25-2. Our only two losses at the time were to Roncalli. They’re just such, such great kids. They just work so hard. In some ways, they don’t need us, they just go out and do it and tonight, Boonville was just better.”
Guerin Catholic graduates seven seniors, including Macha, Alicia Flores, Victoria Flores, Dorsey, Dilley, catcher Lucy Schenk and Olivia Labus, who came in to run for Schenk in the sixth inning. They have left quite a legacy for the Golden Eagles in this historic season.
At the same time, three key underclassmen will return next year: Kemp, Hartley and Mascari.
“Izzy and Julia and Kirsten all were in this championship game and are all back,” said Buckner. “Our leadership will be fine and they’ll be focused.”
BOONVILLE 1, GUERIN CATHOLIC 0
Guerin Catholic AB R H RBI
Ana Macha 4 0 2 0
Aliyah Dorsey 3 0 0 0
Victoria Flores 3 0 1 0
Izzy Kemp 2 0 0 0
Alicia Flores 3 0 0 0
Lucy Schenk 3 0 0 0
Kirsten Mascari 3 0 1 0
Sarah Dilley 3 0 1 0
Julia Hartley 3 0 2 0
Olivia Labus 0 0 0 0
Totals 27 0 7 0
GC pitching IP R ER H
Kemp 6 1 1 2
Strikeouts: Kemp 13. Walks: Kemp 1.
Boonville AB R H RBI
Kaitlyn Knox 3 0 0 0
Rebecca Campbell 3 0 0 0
Jayce Purdy 3 1 1 0
Randi Jo Pryor 3 0 0 1
Ariel Thomasson 2 0 0 0
Ashton Pryor 1 0 1 0
Ana Chavez 2 0 0 0
Madison Hill 2 0 0 0
Chloe Apple 2 0 0 0
Totals x x x x
3B: Purdy. SB: Pryor.
Boonville pitching IP R ER H
Thomasson 7 0 0 7
Strikeouts: Thomasson 9. Walks: Thomasson 5.
Score by Innings
Guerin Catholic 000 000 0 – 0 7 0
Boonville 000 000 1 – 1 2 4