Softball: Heights takes down No. 1 Western

The REPORTER

The Hamilton Heights softball team stunned the top-ranked team in Class 3A on Wednesday.

The host Huskies beat Western 3-2 in a home and Hoosier Conference game. Heights scored an early run, held the lead for most of the game, then got the go-ahead run in the sixth inning to clinch the victory.

Huskies coach Shelby Wills said her team “went into this game like we went into every game, where we understand that every team has the potential to beat us, but if we play our game, we know no one can beat us.”

Heather Crays scored the Huskies’ first run in the first inning. She hit a one-out double, moved to third base on a sacrifice bunt by Taya Trosper, then scored when Kamryn Rhoton sent a base hit into left field.

Heights added its second run in the fourth inning in similar fashion. Rhoton sent a one-out double into left field, moved to third base on Melanee Forrester’s left field single, then scored on an error.

The Panthers got the first run back in the top of the fifth inning, then tied the game with an RBI single in the top of the sixth. But Crays came through in the bottom of the sixth: she led off with a single, moved around the bases, then went home on Rhoton’s right field hit. The Huskies had the lead, and played perfect defense in the seventh inning, taking care of Western three up, three down to get the win.

“We knew we had to hit the ball, get our bunts down and our pitching had to be on spot,” said Wills. “And that’s exactly what we did, and our coaching staff had to make sure the strategy was on par. We played our first complete game this season, I feel.”

Rhoton went 3-for-3 at the plate, while Crays was 2-for-3. Crays also pitched a complete game, tossing three strikeouts.

Heights is 4-3 and hosts Sheridan this afternoon.

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Noblesville won an all-county game over Carmel Wednesday, 16-2 in five innings at Cherry Tree Softball Complex.

The Millers scored six runs in the top of the first inning, with Reese Newsom hitting a two-run triple to get Noblesville on the board. Macie Duvall later hit a three-run home run.

Jayden Kleiner hit a solo home run for the Greyhounds in the bottom of the first inning. The Millers added two in the second inning, including an RBI double from Brookelyn Grayson. Noblesville put up seven runs in the third inning, with Delaney Rundle cracking an RBI double and Addi Emerson hitting a two-run homer.

Carmel scored its second run in the fourth inning; Katherine Warren hit a sacrifice bunt to bring in Lolah Pence. Grayson led off the fifth inning with a home run to complete the Millers’ scoring.

Grayson and Newsome both hit 3-for-4, while Emmerson and Duvall each totaled three RBIs. Grayson also scored three runs. Starting pitcher Roslyn Ervin went three innings, striking out three, while Emme Yee threw the other two innings, allowing just one hit.

Noblesville is 4-0 and hosts Lawrence North on Friday. Carmel is 1-9 and plays Friday at New Palestine.

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Guerin Catholic beat Lawrence Central 1-0 Wednesday in an away game.

The Golden Eagles scored their run in the third inning, when Lucy Kemp got home on Anna Mauch’s RBI groundout. Guerin Catholic had five hits for the game, including a double from Kate Brady.

Ava Augustinovicz pitched a complete game, striking out eight against three hits.

The Golden Eagles are 3-3 and play their next game Tuesday at Heritage Christian.

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Westfield dropped a Wednesday home game to Greenfield-Central 5-3.

The Cougars scored three runs in the first inning and one more in the second to lead 4-0. The Shamrocks got their first run in the third inning: Ava Kainrath hit a double, moved to third base on a passed ball, then scored on Reese Mahannah’s base hit.

Greenfield added its fifth run in the fourth inning. Westfield made a comeback in the seventh inning with two runs: Makayla Watson singled in Sofia Easterhaus, then Watson scored on Chloe Tanner’s RBI groundout. But the Cougars held on for the win.

Mahannah went 3-for-4 at the plate, including a double. Easterhaus, Kainrath and Cam Pulice all had two hits.

The Shamrocks are 2-3 and host Cathedral Saturday morning.