SOUTHMONT SOFTBALL SECTIONAL: Hassler dominates again; Beaman leads Tiger Cubs past Wildcats into sectional final

NEW MARKET - In the first semi-final of IHSAA Softball Class 2A Sectional No. 44, Greencastle got a strong pitching performance from Ali Hassler and early offense to defeat the South Vermillion Wildcats 11-2 Tuesday night.

On the third pitch of the game, Kenly Minor took the ball deep over the fence to give the Wildcats a quick 1-0 lead.

Hassler settled in and struck out batters for five of the first six outs. The Cubs then roared back in the bottom of the first.

Allie Beaman doubled to left center and Emma West drove in the first run with a single. Lilly Franklin then singled and the ball got by the right fielder, allowing West to come around and score. Franklin later scored on a ground out by Katie Detro to make it 3-1 after one.

Greencastle picked up another run in the second. Haley Owens reached on a bunt single. Beaman then singled to right and once again the ball got past the fielder and Owens scored.

After South Vermillion picked up a run in the top of the third, with Minor again doing the damage, Greencastle answered with four runs in the bottom half, all with two outs.

Hassler, Sarah Simmerman and Makenzie Creviston each drew walks. Owens then laid down another bunt and a mishandled toss to the catcher let two runs score.

Beaman got her third hit to drive in another run and Haley Iseman got into the action, singling in the fourth run of the inning. The Cubs were in control 8-2.

South Vermillion threatened one more time in the fifth, loading the bases. Hassler then struck out the next two batters to end any comeback.

Greencastle picked up some insurance runs in the fifth and sixth. Owens reached on an error, Beaman doubled for the second time and Iseman brought a run home on a ground out. In the sixth, four walks and a hit batsmen brought in two more to make it 11-2.

Hassler then retired the side in order in the seventh to send Greencastle to the championship game Wednesday night against South Putnam, who defeated Parke Heritage 6-1.

Hassler finished with 13 strikeouts, only walking two and scattering just five hits, three of which were from Minor.

Beaman finished 4-for-4 with a walk and three RBIs. Iseman and Owens each brought in two runs.

South Vermillion 101 000 0 — 2 5 4

Greencastle 314 012 X — 11 9 2

Pitching

Greencastle — Hassler (W) 7IP 5H 2BB 13K 2R 2ER

South Vermillion — Smith (L) 2.2IP 9H 3BB 1K 8R 8ER; Wallace 3.1IP 1H 4BB 2K 3R 3ER

Batting — (G) Beaman 4-4, Franklin 2-3, Hassler 1-1, Owens 1-4, Iseman 1-5; (SV) Minor 3-4

Cram 1-3, Mackey 1-3

RBI — (G) Beaman 3, Iseman 2, Owens 2, West 1, Franklin 1, Detro 1, Creviston 1; (SV) Minor 1

2B — (G) Beaman 2

HR — (SV) Minor

SB — (SV) Minor 2, Schimmel

SAC — (SV) Swinford

LOB — (G) 9 (SV) 6