South Central Captures Third Place At State

South Central Middle School captured third place at the Class M SIJHSAA State Softball Tournament Thursday by edging Hardin County 6-5.

The Falcons edged out to a 1-0 first inning lead then tacked on another run in the second and three in the third. The final tally came in the fifth. Hardin County then mounted a rally, scoring one in the fourth, one in the fifth and three in the bottom of the seventh only to fall a run short.

Sydney Garrett picked up the pitching win on a nine-hitter with one walk and 10 strikeouts. Brooklyn Garrett led offensively with two singles, a triple and two RBI. Lily Malone added two singles and two RBI and S. Garrett a single and double.

"This year's team just had an unbelievable year," said South Central Coach Gary Kapper. "Winning the first middle school softball regional title was a goal at the beginning of the year. Getting to play in the Final Four at State made it even better. All these girls worked hard to improve every practice or game and they did. Winning third at state was a total team effort from everyone on this team, from the players on the field to those cheering in the dugout."

Class M State Tournament

South Central            113    010    0    --    6-8-1

Hardin County            000    110    3    --    5-9-3

WP -- S. Garrett. LP -- none listed.

South Central -- Geiler, single; S. Garrett, single, double; Smith, 1 RBI; B. Garrett, 2 singles, triple, 2 RBI; Malone, 2 singles, 2 RBI

Hardin County -- no hits listed