Softball Roundup: Blackhawks drop conference opener, GC & Carmel both fall

The REPORTER

The Sheridan softball team dropped its Hoosier Heartland Conference opener on Wednesday, falling 12-5 to Clinton Prairie in a home game.

The Blackhawks held an early lead, scoring three runs in the first inning. Maelei Casler’s right field hit scored Abby Dallas, then Shelby Eaton tripled Casler home. Claudia Headlee’s center field single brought in Eaton, who would also bat in a second inning run. Emma Settles got home on Eaton’s right field hit.

Sheridan led 4-0 at that point. But the Gophers began their comeback with two runs in the fourth inning, then put up four runs in both the fifth and sixth innings for a 10-4 lead. The Blackhawks got a run in the bottom of the sixth when Anna Rusk drew a bases-loaded walk to bring Abbi Merritt home.

Merritt and Eaton both finished with three hits, while Headlee and Mac Smith both had two hits.

The ‘Hawks are 2-6 and play this afternoon at Eastern in another HHC game.

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Guerin Catholic battled with Bishop Chatard in a Circle City Conference game on Wednesday, falling to the Trojans 10-7 on the road.

The Golden Eagles scored one run in both the first and second innings. Kate Brady got the first inning run on a passed ball, then Rilee Kluesner doubled Brooklyn Fritsche home in the second inning.

Chatard put up three runs in the fourth inning to take the lead, then added five runs in the fifth inning. Guerin Catholic scored three in the sixth: Fritsche’s right field hit batted in Lauren Brady, then Kluesner’s left field hit scored Emily Powers and Fritsche.

The Trojans scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth. The Golden Eagles got those runs back with Natalie Eiler’s double, which brought in Lucy Kemp and Anna Mauch. But Chatard got a double play to end the game.

Mauch, Powers, Fritsche and Kluesner all had two hits, while Kemp hit a double.

Guerin Catholic is 0-6 and plays a conference game Friday at Brebeuf Jesuit.

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Carmel dropped a Wednesday home game to Pendleton Heights 15-1 in five innings.

The Greyhounds scored their run in the first inning. Jayden Kleiner got on base with a double, then Winni Owens came in to run for her. Paxton Law sent Owens home with a single.

Law had two hits, while Katherine Smith hit a double.

Carmel is 4-7 and hosts the Carmel Invitational this weekend. The Greyhounds play Lake Central at 7:30 p.m. Friday, then plays two games on Saturday, taking on Penn at 9 a.m. and Roncalli at 1:30 p.m.