Fast start sends Hawks to first victory

The REPORTER

The Sheridan softball team celebrated its Senior Night in the best way possible on Monday.

The Blackhawks picked up their first win of the season, beating Herron 17-9 in a game at Grand Park. Sheridan jumped out to an early lead after the first inning, held firm when the Achaeans made a middle-inning run, then scored five runs in the later innings to clinch the victory.

Adria Jump scored the Blackhawks’ first run on Mac Smith’s RBI groundout. Norah Adams hit a double and eventually got home on a wild pitch. Abbi Merritt, Amiyah Doss and Ali Pickard all scored by stealing home plate, putting Sheridan up 5-0.

Abby Dallas singled in Lainey Mendenhall for another run, then Jump batted in Maddie Davis and Dallas with a left field hit. After all that, the ‘Hawks led 8-0. Sheridan added three runs in the second inning. Doss brought Adams home with a single, then both Doss and Pickard scored runs by stealing home plate.

Herron scored four runs in the third inning. The Blackhawks got a run back in the bottom of the third when Adams scored on Pickard’s RBI groundout to give Sheridan a 12-4 lead.

The Achaeans put up five runs in the fourth inning to get within 12-9. Mendenhall put the ‘Hawks up 14-9 with a two-RBI single in the fifth inning. Her left field hit brought in Adams and Merritt.

Sheridan scored three runs in the sixth inning. Jump led off with a single and went home when Smith smacked a triple into center field. Doss doubled Smith in, then scored on Pickard’s single.

Adams had a perfect hitting night, going 5-for-5 at the plate (including three doubles) and scoring four runs. Doss drove in three runs and scored another three. Jump, Pickard and Mendenhall each had three hits. Smith also hit a double. Jump got the pitching win, striking out four over three innings.

Sheridan is 1-6 for the season. The Blackhawks play a Hoosier Heartland Conference game Thursday at Tri-Central. Sheridan’s game with Clinton Central that was to take place on Tuesday was rained out.