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INDIANAPOLIS — The Brownsburg softball team gathered outside the first-base dugout between the sixth and seventh innings of Saturday's Class 4A Sectional 11 championship game vs. Plainfield. Sophomore pitcher Etta Schroering had stranded a runner on base to ensure their one-run lead remained intact, and coach Cherise Hiss wanted to deliver some final instructions.
"You've worked way too hard for this. Do not let someone else come in here and ruin this for you," she told her players. "This is all you."
The Bulldogs weren't playing their best ball and they had to change that, Hiss continued. "Take your time, have a plan and turn this game around. Get the energy on our side."
That's exactly what they did.
A three-run seventh highlighted by a two-out RBI triple from Tatum Hunt extended the lead to four, then Schroering worked around a one-out single to close out the 7-3 win.
Brownsburg is a sectional champion for the first time since 2019.
"This feels amazing," said Hunt, who finished 4-for-4 with a double, a triple, three RBIs and a run scored. "Job's not done, though."
Two days removed from a dramatic sectional semifinal win over archrival Avon, the Bulldogs entered Saturday's game brimming with confidence.
They knew better than to take anything for granted against Plainfield, which they beat by 12 earlier this month — "We didn't want the Quakers to even have a thought about this," Hunt said — but they practiced like they were going to be sectional champions.
Brownsburg even worked on its dogpile, Schroering smiled.
"Yeah, we did practice that," Hiss confirmed. "It's been a while since we won a sectional and a few weeks ago we just said, hey, we practice everything else, why don't we practice this? Let's put that out into the universe and make it happen."
Brownsburg wasted no time jumping ahead, taking a 4-0 lead before the second out could be recorded with three straight singles by AG Pogue, Gracie Berkholz and Jocelyn Hornett followed by run-scoring hits from Delaney McInerney (fielder's choice), Hailey Prather (sacrifice fly) and Hunt (two-RBI double).
The energetic start forced a Plainfield pitching change, one that ultimately changed the game's trajectory with Charli Cole pitching 5 2/3 scoreless innings in relief.
The Bulldogs didn't know anything about the freshman when she first entered the game and while they were making contact, it was mostly ground outs and pop outs.
"Charli did a phenomenal job," Plainfield coach Brad Beaman said. "She has a bright, bright future. She's going to be a big (contributor) for us moving forward."
Cole's performance kept steady pressure on Schroering and the Brownsburg defense, which bent, but did not break, allowing only three runs on eight hits with six strikeouts and three walks.
It was an admittedly "iffy" opening frame by the sophomore ace — three of Plainfield's first four batters reached base ahead of an RBI groundout — but she "just kept fighting," grinding through some lengthy at-bats (146 pitches; 32 batters faced) as she weaved her way in and out of trouble.
"Any time runners get on, we all have confidence in Etta. We know she can pitch through anything," Hunt said. "As AG (Pogue) said Wednesday: She's clutch."
"She just doesn't give up," Hornett continued, recalling a fifth-inning mound visit from Hiss. When asked by her coach if she was good to stay in, Schroering confidently replied without hesitation.
"I told her, this is your ball. Take it," Hiss said. "Etta said, 'Yeah, give me that ball. It's mine. I'm gonna do this.' And she did."
Brownsburg will travel to Center Grove for Tuesday's regional championship game.
The Bulldogs led the Trojans 10-1 through three innings when they played on April 16, but had to hang on late after surrendering eight unanswered runs (four in the seventh). Schroering allowed three runs on three hits in 4 2/3 innings, while the offense clocked 12 hits, including three by McInerney.
"We know they're going to come out hot. They're a good team," Hornett said. "We said that about Plainfield, too. We're going to have to hit the ball and make some plays. They have great players and so do we."
Brownsburg leadoff hitter Kenzly Larkin said she felt something pop and rolled down on her ankle while running through first base in the first inning Wednesday vs. Avon. The senior was lifted from the game immediately and was in a boot Saturday.
Hiss said Larkin is "still kind of in limbo" at this point. They're seeing improvement, but are waiting to see how she feels after this weekend.
Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen. Get IndyStar's high school coverage sent directly to your inbox with the High School Sports newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IHSAA softball: Etta Schroering, Brownsburg Bulldogs beat Plainfield in Sectional 11 final
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"You've worked way too hard for this. Do not let someone else come in here and ruin this for you," she told her players. "This is all you."
The Bulldogs weren't playing their best ball and they had to change that, Hiss continued. "Take your time, have a plan and turn this game around. Get the energy on our side."
That's exactly what they did.
A three-run seventh highlighted by a two-out RBI triple from Tatum Hunt extended the lead to four, then Schroering worked around a one-out single to close out the 7-3 win.
Brownsburg is a sectional champion for the first time since 2019.
"This feels amazing," said Hunt, who finished 4-for-4 with a double, a triple, three RBIs and a run scored. "Job's not done, though."
Two days removed from a dramatic sectional semifinal win over archrival Avon, the Bulldogs entered Saturday's game brimming with confidence.
They knew better than to take anything for granted against Plainfield, which they beat by 12 earlier this month — "We didn't want the Quakers to even have a thought about this," Hunt said — but they practiced like they were going to be sectional champions.
Brownsburg even worked on its dogpile, Schroering smiled.
"Yeah, we did practice that," Hiss confirmed. "It's been a while since we won a sectional and a few weeks ago we just said, hey, we practice everything else, why don't we practice this? Let's put that out into the universe and make it happen."
Brownsburg wasted no time jumping ahead, taking a 4-0 lead before the second out could be recorded with three straight singles by AG Pogue, Gracie Berkholz and Jocelyn Hornett followed by run-scoring hits from Delaney McInerney (fielder's choice), Hailey Prather (sacrifice fly) and Hunt (two-RBI double).
The energetic start forced a Plainfield pitching change, one that ultimately changed the game's trajectory with Charli Cole pitching 5 2/3 scoreless innings in relief.
The Bulldogs didn't know anything about the freshman when she first entered the game and while they were making contact, it was mostly ground outs and pop outs.
"Charli did a phenomenal job," Plainfield coach Brad Beaman said. "She has a bright, bright future. She's going to be a big (contributor) for us moving forward."
Cole's performance kept steady pressure on Schroering and the Brownsburg defense, which bent, but did not break, allowing only three runs on eight hits with six strikeouts and three walks.
It was an admittedly "iffy" opening frame by the sophomore ace — three of Plainfield's first four batters reached base ahead of an RBI groundout — but she "just kept fighting," grinding through some lengthy at-bats (146 pitches; 32 batters faced) as she weaved her way in and out of trouble.
"Any time runners get on, we all have confidence in Etta. We know she can pitch through anything," Hunt said. "As AG (Pogue) said Wednesday: She's clutch."
"She just doesn't give up," Hornett continued, recalling a fifth-inning mound visit from Hiss. When asked by her coach if she was good to stay in, Schroering confidently replied without hesitation.
"I told her, this is your ball. Take it," Hiss said. "Etta said, 'Yeah, give me that ball. It's mine. I'm gonna do this.' And she did."
Brownsburg will travel to Center Grove for Tuesday's regional championship game.
The Bulldogs led the Trojans 10-1 through three innings when they played on April 16, but had to hang on late after surrendering eight unanswered runs (four in the seventh). Schroering allowed three runs on three hits in 4 2/3 innings, while the offense clocked 12 hits, including three by McInerney.
"We know they're going to come out hot. They're a good team," Hornett said. "We said that about Plainfield, too. We're going to have to hit the ball and make some plays. They have great players and so do we."
Kenzly Larkin 'still in limbo'
Brownsburg leadoff hitter Kenzly Larkin said she felt something pop and rolled down on her ankle while running through first base in the first inning Wednesday vs. Avon. The senior was lifted from the game immediately and was in a boot Saturday.
Hiss said Larkin is "still kind of in limbo" at this point. They're seeing improvement, but are waiting to see how she feels after this weekend.
Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen. Get IndyStar's high school coverage sent directly to your inbox with the High School Sports newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IHSAA softball: Etta Schroering, Brownsburg Bulldogs beat Plainfield in Sectional 11 final
Continue reading...
