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SOUTHMONT SOFTBALL SECTIONAL FINAL: Tiger Cubs rally in seventh, win first sectional title since ’98 over Eagles
NEW MARKET — Lilly Franklin cut a dejected figure in the sixth inning.
Despite moving two runners up a base, the sophomore was 0-for-3 at that point in the game and her ground out would not help Greencastle score in the inning as South Putnam dodged a bases-loaded, one-out jam.
If only she knew then what was in store for her just an inning later.
Franklin’s return to the plate in the seventh would be the crowning moment of Wednesday’s IHSAA Softball Class 2A Sectional No. 44 final as the Tiger Cub first baseman slammed a three-run shot, capping a four-run frame that helped the school to its first postseason title since 1998 with a 5-2 win over the Eagles.
“We knew what was coming,” Greencastle head coach Amy Coons said. “We had seen both pitchers South Putnam had and they had seen us.
“We couldn’t hit the ball for anything last week but we got the hits when they counted most today.”
“The girls were a little tired today but they gave me all the fight they had,” South Putnam head coach Kenny Wells said. “We knew coming in that we had to be focused and came at it with good energy.”
The first all-Putnam County softball sectional final was the third meeting between the two schools, with Greencastle winning 3-2 in the Putnam County Softball Tournament final on April 13 and South Putnam taking the Putnam County Paddle off the Tiger Cubs just six days prior to the sectional final on May 16 by a score of 6-0.
Following a 1-2-3 top of the first, Greencastle helped South Putnam to get on the board first as two errors and a passed ball set up Aly Pingleton for an RBI groundout.
Ali Hassler was able to keep the damage at just one run, punching out the next two batters, before erasing the lead with a solo home run in the top of the second.
“We’ve been doing a really good job this sectional of having our other teammates pick each other up after a mistake,” Coons said about the team’s reaction to the early miscues. “We’ve been emphasizing to them that the girls have teammates who will help pick them up if they struggle.”
“Ali held us down,” Wells said about being unable to add more runs early on. “She’s a great pitcher and you have to find ways to hit a good pitcher. Tonight, we just didn’t make that adjustment.”
The Tiger Cubs got runners to second and third in the third inning but failed to capitalize and the Eagles retook the lead in the bottom of the inning after Braylin Boruff hit a one-out double and scored on a Lilah Holderfield single.
Neither Hassler nor Mia Wells were willing to yield in the circle as the next real threat came in the sixth inning.
Haley Iseman singled and Emma West drew a walk, both runners moving up a bag on Franklin’s groundout.
Katie Detro laid down a bunt to reach safely at first, loading the bases, but Wells coaxed a pop up and a soft liner was snagged by Danae Cline to leave the bases loaded.
“It would have been easy for the girls to get down after that,” Coons said about the missed scoring opportunity. “Instead, they were pumped and ready to go in the seventh.”
Greencastle’s last chance to overtake the 2-1 deficit started with a Mackenzie Creviston single, Wells’ last action in the circle as Boruff took over.
“Mia gave me all she had tonight,” Wells said. “We wanted to go all the way with her and eventually put Braylin in after she pitched the night before.”
Haley Owens laid down a sac bunt to move Creviston to second and Allie Beaman, singled to put runners on the corners.
Iseman tied the game with a single to left field but a soft liner to Madison Carpenter held the runners in place.
“After we saw (Mackenzie) get on base, we knew we had a chance,” Beaman, the sole Tiger Cub senior, said about the final inning. “We were getting a little down on ourselves but we had been hot Monday and Tuesday and knew we could get it done.”
Franklin stepped in and took a 2-0 offering over the center field fence, sparking wild celebrations at home plate.
“That was (Lilly’s) first home run and she deserved that more than anyone I’ve ever known,” Coons said. “That kid works so hard and is so determined.
“For her to get her first home run over straight-away center with two outs in the seventh inning of a sectional final is just incredible.”
Carpenter was able to reach on a three-base error but Hassler, who struck out 11 batters to make it 37 for the tournament, got a pop out and ground out to end the game and the 26-year Tiger Cub sectional drought.
South Putnam ends the season 13-13 with three seniors on the squad in Jaicee Jackson, Peyton Freeman and Joscelyn Pilcher.
“We’re a young team but we’ve got a lot of talent,” Wells said. “We’ve got a good defense with a lot of girls coming back.
“I can’t wait for next season and I know the girls can’t wait for next season. We’ll be ready to go.”
Having won in its first sectional final appearance since 2016, Greencastle advances to the regional round next Tuesday where the Tiger Cubs will host Cascade at 6 p.m.
Coons wasn’t thinking that far into the future as the chance to hold the sectional title was one that had been a long time coming.
“Myself and (Greencastle assistant coach Lyndie) Plummer have wanted to hold that trophy so badly,” Coons said as both former Tiger Cubs missed out on sectional titles in 2004 and 2005. “We wanted it when we were players and now we’ve got it.”
“It feels really good to get this win,” Beaman added. “I feel like I’ve accomplished a lot my senior year with these girls and have become close with all of them.
“It feels great to play another week.”
Greencastle 010 000 4 — 5 8 2
South Putnam 101 000 0 — 2 4 2
WP — Hassler 7 IP, 2 R (ER), 4 H, BB, 11 K
LP — Boruff IP, 3 R (3 ER), 3 H
HR — Hassler, Franklin
2B — Boruff
RBI — Franklin (3), Hassler, Iseman; Holderfield
