2011 Season
Photo by Dawn EmbryDickerson voted ICGSA Second Team All-State and ICGSA Senior All-Star6/16/2011Henryville’s Ashley Dickerson was voted onto the
2011 Indiana Coaches of Girls Sports Association Softball All-State Second Team.
Floyd Central's Samantha McClure made the First Team and Floyd Central's Jordan Batliner was on the Third Team.
In addition, McClure and Dickerson were each voted to the
2011 ICGSA Senior All-Star Team.
Henryville's Embry makes Academic All-State team6/15/2011 (The Evening News)Henryville’s Carissa Embry was recently named to the
2011 Indiana Coaches of Girls Sports Association Academic All-State Softball Team.
Floyd Central's Samantha McClure received an honorable mention.
Embry was also named to the ICGSA Academic All-State teams in
golf and
basketball earlier this school year.
Schroeder, Dickerson take top honors in SACEmbry, Richey All-SAC6/9/2011 by Matt Koesters (The Evening News)Henryville softball coach Jenny Schroeder was named coach of the year for the second year in a row, and Henryville’s Ashley Dickerson was named Most Outstanding Player.
Other area players earning all-conference honors included New Washington’s Whitney Morris and Casey Johnson and Henryville’s Sarah Richey and Carissa Embry.
Embry attending Oakland City University6/6/2011 (The Evening News)
Henryville’s Carissa Embry has committed to play softball at Oakland City University. During her high school career, Henryville won four SAC titles, three Sectional titles, and one Regional title. Oakland City University holds dual membership affiliation with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division II level and the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) at the Division I level. Pictured are (Front) Dawn Embry (Mother), Carissa Embry, Robin Embry (Father); (Back) Troy Albert (Principal), Jenifer Schroeder (Coach), Bill Niece (AD).
Evening News All-Area Team6/1/2011 by Matt Koesters (The Evening News)FLOYDS KNOBS — Floyd Central softball pitchers Jordan Batliner and Samantha McClure will share the honors as News and Tribune’s Co-Players of the Year.
McClure and Batliner, both seniors, were the heart of the batting order for the Highlanders this season, both hitting over .400. “It’s one of the highest honors I think you can get, as far as being recognized by the media and the people who watch them on a regular basis,” Floyd coach Joe Witten said. “Those two worked extremely hard, and we know they’re bright and intelligent, and ballplaying is just a part of how special they are. I’m sure they represent this area as well as any, so I’m thrilled for them.”
However, the duo’s best moments came when they were on the field. Batliner and McClure both built reputations for being a couple of the toughest pitchers to hit in Southern Indiana.
McClure accumulated a record of 11-3 this season with the Highlanders.
“With Samantha, her greatness wasn’t hidden too well, because when she was a freshman, her first varsity at-bat she hit a home run over the fence against Columbus East,” Witten said. “She has a knack for competition, excelling, never being satisfied. She’ll go down as arguably one of our most talented players in our history, just because of her work ethic and just her natural talent. She’s just a super-talented individual.”
Batliner went 9-4 on the mound for Floyd Central.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that (Batliner) is one of the most consistent players that I’ve coached,” Witten said. “She gives you the same performance each and every day, and it’s at a high level. She’s never had a sub-par game. She’s always in every at-bat. She’s always going to give you a chance to win as a pitcher.
“She does it very stoic, with no emotion. ... She doesn’t gloat or play with the emotion where she can get real high, excited and then have a let-down. She just lets the game come to her.”
Clarksville coach Tim Hauber is the News and Tribune’s Coach of the Year.
After a shaky start, Hauber’s Generals are still in the state-championship tournament mix after defeating Forest Park on Tuesday, 6-0 to advance to the Class 2A Forest Park Semistate. The win was Clarksville’s first regional championship since 2004.
“I’m humbled,” Hauber said. “I don’t know what to say. I appreciate it.”
The Generals overcame adversity that came in several forms, from a surprise no-show from a senior leader to chemistry issues and late additions that took time to develop.
“I think out understanding of the game was just not there early,” Hauber said. “As the year’s gone on, we’re starting to understand the game a little bit better. So we’ve improved in our knowledge of the game probably more than anything. We believe ourselves, we hit the ball better and our confidence level’s up a little bit. There’s about five things, I guess.”
Hauber has righted the ship, but he wasn’t always so hopeful.
“There were times throughout the year where we wondered if we were going to be .500 or not,” Hauber said. “Matter of fact, when we played Henryville, they were 7-7 and we were 7-7, and (Henryville coach) Jenny (Schroeder) and I joked, ‘One of us is going to leave here a winner.’” Batliner and McClure are joined by seven players from around Clark and Floyd Counties. For the purposes of the All-Area team,
the nine best players regardless of position were selected. Pitchers dominated the list.
Leading the list is Clarksville sophomore Amber Perez, who has accumulated a 17-10 record starting every game for the Generals.
“Basically, she’s just got the raw ability,” Hauber said. “She’s just got a gift that a lot of kids don’t have. We’re working on her work ethic. If she had that with the tools that she has, she could be an incredible athlete. She showed a little bit of it (Tuesday) night, where she just kind of dug down and got something from somewhere.”
Perez went 3-for-4 with two doubles and a home run in the regional win, the homer being the first of her career.
Representing Henryville on the All-Area first team is perennial star Ashley Dickerson, who took over pitching for the Hornets after an injury to Natalie Basham.
“Ashley, aside from being one of the best softball players in the area, I think she’s also a model student and a model student-athlete,” Schroeder said. “She’s very involved in school activities and makes good grades. She’s just a good person. Around our team, she’s just a positive leader.”
New Washington’s Casey Johnson and Whitney Morris both make the first team after helping lead New Washington to a winning season. Morris was the team’s ace on the mound, while Johnson stole 35 bases in just 17 games for the Mustangs.
“Casey’s batting average was .377, but when you consider the walks that she had (11), her on-base percentage was 500 or so,” New Wash coach Tim Sexton said. “She had 35 stolen bases and led the team in home runs and triples. Once she got on base, you know she’s running.”
Brittany Kaiser joins the team to represent New Albany. Aside from leading the team to a 14-9 role after being forced into the role, Kaiser also plays three other positions and was a terror at the plate for the Bulldogs’ opponents. Morris’ average was .459.
“She had to pitch because there was no one else on the team,” New Albany coach Steve Belden said. “Besides pitcher, she played shortstop, third base and left field. Pitching wasn’t her forte. She was forced into that position.”
Perhaps no batter was more feared at the plate than Charlestown pitcher Alli Webster, who needed just 22 games to slug six home runs. “She led with power, and usually the way Alli went was how the team went,” Charlestown boss Kevin Zollman said. “She was very fierce. She hated it when her teammates weren’t as competitive as she was.”
Silver Creek senior catcher Megan Pennington represents the Dragons.
“Megan is a four-year starter. Megan hit over .400 this year,” Silver Creek coach Dave Harvey said. “She has caught every ballgame that we’ve had the past two seasons. She’s a team leader. She’s part of the glue that held us together for the last two seasons.”
COACH OF THE YEAR
Tim Hauber, Clarksville
ALL-AREA FIRST TEAM
Jordan Batliner, Floyd Central (Co-Player of the Year)
Samantha McClure, Floyd Central (Co-Player of the Year)
Amber Perez, Clarksville
Megan Pennington, Silver Creek
Brittany Kaiser, New Albany
Ashley Dickerson, Henryville
Casey Johnson, New Washington
Alli Webster, Charlestown
Whitney Morris, New Washington
ALL-AREA SECOND TEAM
Samantha Feather, Floyd Central
Paige Davis, Floyd Central
Emily Clayton, Silver Creek
Kim Jamros, Silver Creek
Lakin Roland, Jeffersonville
Meredith Endris, Providence
Morgan Habermel, Providence
Keirstin Hall, Clarksville
Brittany Jones, New AlbanyLady Eagles halt Henryville's streak5/29/2011 by Brian Smith (Corydon Democrat)It wouldn't be a proper Class 1A Sectional 62 softball tournament without a Lanesville vs. Henryville battle.
This go-around, Lanesville came away the victors, spoiling a four-year run of sectional titles won by the Lady Hornets.
At the Saturday afternoon final in Henryville, the host school was upended by a shutout pitching performance from Lanesville senior Ashley Schoen. It took the Lady Eagles nine innings to push across the game's lone run in a 1-0 victory.
"I knew these could be my last games, so I just wanted to do my best," Schoen said. "I just want to keep playing."
Lanesville had seven hits going into the top of the ninth but failed to score. Things changed in that frame when Elizabeth Sacasas hit a sharp ball to centerfield. The single skipped past the centerfielder, allowing the junior to slide into third with no outs.
Following a Robyn Schoen groundout, Brooklyn Keinsley came to the plate eyeing the winner. She blooped a single over the second-base bag to the grass, plating the go-ahead run.
"Had Brooklyn not hit that pop up, I was going to squeeze her on the next pitch," Lanesville coach Rusty Cecil said. "I told her to be looking and know what the signal is. She is one of the best bunters we have. I knew we were in a good position to bunt, but she hit the pop up that falls in and we score the run. It worked out."
Henryville entered the bottom of the ninth with the heart of its order coming up. After forcing an Ashley Dickerson ground out, Jasmine Harrell reached on an error. The error did no damage as Schoen forced consecutive outs.
"I was nervous, and I'm still shaking," Lanesville senior Shelbie Timberlake said of the final moments. "I knew we would win; we just had the hit when it counted. I'm so proud, words can't describe it."
Of Lanesville's two sectional wins to hoist the trophy, each came in extra innings.
"As I walked across there in the top of the ninth, I wondered how many innings this would go," Cecil said.
The Lady Hornets have been the nemesis of the Lady Eagles the past several years, making the rivalry a memorable one.
"This is my brother and I's fourth year here, and it has always been Henryville to beat us in the sectional," Cecil said. "They go to 2A next year, and this was our last chance the girls have, and it's on their field. If there is a time to beat them, this is it."
Lanesville had several opportunities to score early in the game. They left the bases loaded in the fourth when Ashley Schoen and Anna Gibson reached on singles, followed by a Robyn Schoen walk.
In the fifth inning, Timberlake had a single and Ashley Schoen doubled, but, like the fourth, the runs failed to come across.
Dickerson twirled all nine innings for the Lady Hornets. She was the focus of the Lanesville defense. During the regular season game, Dickerson reached base twice and scored both times in a 2-0 Lady Hornets win.
"If we can keep Dickerson off the base, we'd be fine," Cecil said of the game plan. "The one time she got on, Anna (Gibson) threw a strike to second (for a caught stealing). (Henryville) is a great team, and Dickerson is a great player. We had the cards tonight. I knew if we could keep making the plays on defense, sooner or later good things happen."
Ashley Schoen was impressive in the circle. It wasn't until the fourth inning when Henryville landed its first hit, a two-out single from Sythea Maudlin.
Henryville never had a runner past first base until the bottom of the seventh. Carissa Embry reached on a single and was moved to third via a sacrifice bunt and a stolen base. She, however, was stranded when Schoen fanned Erin Hairston. That was the closest the Lady Hornets would come to score.
"It was our defense that did it tonight," Cecil said. "Ashley Schoen pitched a whale of a game."
Schoen gave up four hits and struck out six. Her and Keinsley led the Lady Eagles offense with two hits apiece.
Edged Out5/29/2011 by Kevin Harris (The Evening News)HENRYVILLE — Heading into Saturday’s Class A Henryville Sectional final, both the Henryville and Lanesville softball teams expected their matchup to be just as close and competitive as their regular-season meeting.
They were right, but this time, the Eagles came out on top.
Lanesville avenged its 2-0 regular-season loss to the Hornets with a 1-0 victory in nine innings, capturing its first sectional title since 2006. Henryville (14-13) fell short of claiming its fifth sectional championship in a row.
“I’m not unhappy with the way we played,” Hornets’ head coach Jenny Schroeder said. “We only lost by one run. It’s not like we lost by several runs and we gave up a bunch of unearned runs. It just wasn’t our day.”
The Eagles’ Elizabeth Sacasas began the top of the ninth inning in a big way. The junior smacked a ball into center field that got past Hornet center fielder Miranda Hopper and rolled to the fence. That allowed Sacasas to reach third base for a triple.
After Robyn Schoen grounded out to first, sophomore Brooklyn Keinsley popped up a ball into shallow center. Henryville shortstop Carissa Embry tried to make an over-the-shoulder catch, but could not hang on to the ball. Keinsley’s RBI single plated Sacasas for the lone run of the game.
“In a situation like that, it is important to not let the ball get through the outfielder,” Schroeder said about Sacasas’ triple. “That was costly for us.”
Lanesville head coach Rusty Cecil said he was planning a different strategy if Keinsley’s single did not drop into center.
“Had Brooklyn not hit the pop-up, we were going to squeeze on the next pitch,” said Cecil, the former head football coach at Floyd Central. “But as a result, they didn’t catch it and we got the run.”
The Hornets attempted to at least tie the game in the bottom of the ninth. After senior Ashley Dickerson grounded out to second, Eagles’ third baseman Emma Zeller committed a fielding error on a Jasmine Harrell grounder. But Harrell was forced out at second on a fielder’s choice by Sythea Maudlin and Embry popped up to second to end the game.
“This was our last chance to beat them,” said Cecil, who pointed out that the teams will not be in the same sectional next season as Henryville moves up to Class 2A. “If there was a time to beat them, this was it.”
Both teams squandered several chances to score before the ninth. Lanesville (15-9) left nine runners on base and six runners in scoring position, including leaving bases loaded in the fourth. Henryville left four runners on base.
The Hornets’ best chance to get across the plate was in the bottom of the seventh.
Embry got on base with a one-out single to shallow left and then advanced to second on a Sarah Richey sacrifice. A wild pitch by Lanesville starting pitcher Ashley Schoen moved Embry to third with two out.
But on a 3-2 pitch, Henryville junior Erin Hairston struck out looking on a pitch placed low and away on the right side of the plate. Embry was the Hornets’ only runner that got into scoring position in the contest.
“It was a full count and I thought about going for it. I thought about doing a delayed steal,” Schroeder said. “It was one of those things where you think you should’ve done this or done that.”
Ashley Schoen tossed a four-hit shutout. The senior right-hander struck out six and walked none. She also got a lot of support from a Lanesville defense that made only one error and recorded 10 groundouts.
“We had all the cards and our defense is what did it,” Cecil said. “This is the type of game we have with them every time.”
Schroeder thought it was one of those games where her players hit the ball hard, but it went right at Lanesville fielders.
“I felt all day that we had solid hitting. We just hit it at someone most of the time,” she said. “The chips didn’t fall for us today.”
Dickerson got the loss on the mound. The senior right-hander pitched all nine innings, surrendering one run (earned) on nine hits. Dickerson struck out eight and walked one.
“Ashley did a great job. I wouldn’t expect anything less out of her,” Schroeder said about Dickerson, who recently made the Indiana Coaches of Girls Sports Association All-State second team. “I wouldn’t expect anything less out of here. She’s one of the best people I’ve ever known. I’ll hate to see her go.”
Despite losing several players to graduation the past couple of years, Schroeder was proud of the way her players stepped into those players’ shoes this season and stressed that the Hornets have more solid players than just Dickerson.
“I feel this year that nobody expected us to do too much,” said Schroeder, who has three seniors in Embry, Maudlin and Dickerson. “I felt that our entire team, not just Ashley Dickerson, stepped up this year. We were undefeated in the (Southern Athletic) conference. We proved that we were not a one-person team.
“Some people have publicly made some comments about our team being a one-person team. But I want to publicly make a comment that we are not that. I’m standing up for my players and I want to have their backs.”
Henryville Rolls to Final5/24/2011 by Matt Koesters (The Evening News)Henryville returned to its home field on Tuesday and took care of business. In a game resumed after a rain delay on Monday with Henryville leading 9-0 after four, the Hornets scored a run in the top of the fifth to send Borden packing, 10-0.
With one out, Ashley Dickerson walked, stole second and advanced to third on a passed ball. Jasmine Harrell hit an infield single to plate Dickerson and get the 10th run to allow the Hornets to win in five innings.
“Sometimes you can let a suspension of a game take the wind out of your sails a little bit,” Henryville coach Jenny Schroeder said. “There was a general concern that we might come out not ready to go. We came out and got the job done.”
Dickerson’s run came on the heels of a fantastic day on Monday, when she hit an inside-the-park grand slam that keyed an eight-run Henryville first. Dickerson also won the game on the mound for the Hornets.
“Ashley is the heart and soul of our team. We kind of go as Ashley goes,” Schroeder said. “When Ashley has a good day, it usually ends well for us. She has stepped up and had to pitch, even though that’s not her natural position, and she hasn’t complained. She has done a fantastic job.”
Borden ended up 5-7 in its first year back after a 27-year hiatus.
“(Borden coach) Eric Stotts has done a great job with them,” Schroeder said. “I’m very impressed with the job he’s done. Those girls should be proud of themselves. They’ve made history for their school and they should hold their heads up high.”
In the nightcap, Henryville downed Christian Academy, 9-0 to advance to the final.
Once again, it was Dickerson who held the opposition scoreless, going seven innings and striking out 10 against just one walk.
But this time, the Hornets got several big performances at the plate. Sythea Maudlin went 3-for-4 with a double, and Sydney Hollingsworth put the exclamation point on a five-run fifth inning with a two-run home run. Hollingswoth ended up 2-for-4 with a double in addition to the round-tripper. Harrell went 2-for-3.
“It was a very big day, very humid and hot,” Schroeder said. “Waiting through the other game makes for a long day.”
HENRYVILLE-LANESVILLE
Henryville faces Lanesville on Thursday to determine the Class A Henryville Sectional champion. After allowing the Mustangs to steal six bases, the Eagles face a Henryville team that also runs the basepaths with aggression. Henryville defeated the Eagles in the regular season, 2-0.
“We played them earlier in the season, and I think from that game, a couple of our youngsters grew up a little bit,” Cecil said. “But really, the only player that hurt us that game was Dickerson. If we keep Dickerson off the base, then we feel like we can win the game. Last time, she was on the base twice, she scored twice, and it was 2-0.
“We’ve got to do a better job of getting the bat on the ball with her, because she’s not an overpowering pitcher. I feel like our youngsters might have learned a lesson the last time we played them: Keep Dickerson off the base. That’s what you’ve got to do to counter them, because the other part of their team didn’t hurt us. Now tomorrow night may be a different story.”
“Obviously, Ashley Schoen is a good pitcher,” Schroeder said. “With us and them in the final, we expect a tight game.”
Henryville downs Austin5/19/2011The Lady Hornets defeated the Lady Eagles, 12-2.
Charlestown frustrates Henryville5/18/2011 by Matt Koesters (The Evening News)CHARLESTOWN — Henryville committed six errors on its way to losing to host Charlestown, 10-2.
Alli Webster got the win for the Pirates, striking out seven and walking just two.
“She’s a pretty strong-minded young lady,” Charlestown coach Kevin Zollman said. “She’s a fierce competitor. She hates to lose.”
“She’s got good command of her pitches,” Henryville coach Jenny Schroeder said. “She’s very in control of what she’s doing. She gets ahead, and if you don’t get a bat on something early, you’ve got to hit her junk or her rise ball.”
Despite Webster’s fine performance, Henryville (11-12) had opportunities. The Hornets just couldn’t cash in.
“We stranded all kinds of baserunners today,” Schroeder said. “It was sickening.”
Charlestown (12-6) put the ball in play early and often against Henryville’s defense with 16 base hits. Henryville’s defense didn’t respond well, committing six fielding errors.
“I thought we did well. We hit the ball hard, we hit it in the gaps and they had a couple of lapses on defense,” Zollman said, “but we just kept pounding the ball at them and when you put the ball in play, the defense has to play.”
“You’re not going to beat anybody when you make six errors,” Schroeder said.
Henryville beats up Trinity Lutheran5/17/2011 by Matt Koesters and Kevin Harris (The Evening News)Henryville jumped all over Trinity Lutheran and never let up to get a 12-2 road victory.
Ashley Dickerson improved to 8-6 on the mound as she continues to fill in for the injured Natalie Basham. Dickerson also hit two doubles for the Hornets.
Silver Creek wins own tourney5/14/2011 by Matt Koesters (The Evening News)SELLERSBURG — Silver Creek made short work of West Clark-rival Henryville in the opening round of the Silver Creek Invitational, 9-0 and came from behind against Clarksville, 4-2 to win the tournament on Saturday at The Swamp.
Emily Clayton surrendered just two runs — one earned — in 14 innings of work for the Dragons. In the final against the Generals, Clayton allowed three hits and two walks while striking out six Clarksville batters.
“Winning this tournament is big for us,” Silver Creek assistant coach Terry Purlee said. “We got wins against two quality teams in Henryville and Clarksville.”
After pitching a one-hit shutout in the first round in a 6-0 victory over Austin, Clarksville (12-8) pitcher Amber Perez wasn’t as fortunate in the final. But only two of SIlver Creek’s four runs were earned. The General defense committed six fielding errors in the loss.
The key moment of the final came in the top of the fifth with Silver Creek (14-3) — the away team on the scoreboard — trailing 2-1. A Kira Jamros single, a Kim Jamros double and three Clarksville fielding errors allowed the Dragons to plate three in the inning to go ahead for good.
In the consolation game, Henryville (10-11) took out its frustration on Austin in a five-inning contest, 15-2. The Hornets scored 10 runs in the second inning and five more in the third.
Hornets defeat Eastern5/13/2011 by Kevin Harris (The Evening News)Senior Ashley Dickerson hit a solo home run in the game’s first at-bat, helping Henryville roll to a 10-3 victory at Pekin Eastern.
Dickerson and teammate Jasmine Harrell, the top two hitters in the Hornets’ batting order, each went 4-for-5.
Dickerson also got the job done on the mound. She pitched a complete-game win, yielding three runs (two earned) on five hits. Dickerson struck out five and walked none.
“It’s nice to go out and get a win,” Henryville head coach Jenny Schroeder said. “It was nice to have a decent defensive game.”
2011 IHSAA Class A Henryville Sectional5/12/2011Monday - 5/23/2011:
Game 1 - Henryville vs Borden (5:00 PM)
Tuesday - 5/24/2011:
Game 2 - Lanesville vs New Washington (5:00 PM)
Game 3 - CAI vs Winner Game 1 (7:00 PM approx)
Thursday - 5/26/2011:
Championship - Winner Game 2 vs Winner Game 3 (5:00 PM)
Henryville wins SAC with victory over Crothersville5/11/2011 by Matt Koesters (The Evening News)Henryville advanced its Southern Athletic Conference record to a perfect 5-0 with its 18-0 victory over host Crothersville on Wednesday.
The Hornets needed just eight hits to rack up the runs, thanks to six fielding errors by Crothersville.
Ashley Dickerson was stellar both at the plate and on the mound for Henryville. She allowed just one hit and hit two doubles to help her own cause.
Lady Hornets fall at Salem5/10/2011After trailing 3-0, the Lady Hornets rally fell short, as they lost 3-2.
Clarksville blanks Henryville5/9/2011 by Matt Koesters and Kevin Harris (The Evening News)Amber Perez threw a three-hit shutout in a complete-game effort for Clarksville in a 1-0 victory over host Henryville.
The sole run of the game came in the top of the first inning, when Kierstin Hall hit a double with Alexa Medlock on first. A Henryville fielding error allowed Medlock to come all the way home.
Ashley Dickerson took the loss on the mound for Henryville.
Hornets clinch share of SAC again5/6/2011 by Kevin Harris (The Evening News)Host Henryville clinched a share of the Southern Athletic Conference title with a 2-0 home win over Lanesville. It is the fifth consecutive season the Hornets (7-7, 4-0 SAC) have captured at least a piece of the conference crown.
Ashley Dickerson led Henryville to the victory. She pitched a three-hit shutout, with seven strikeouts and one walk.
Dickerson also scored both of the Hornets’ runs thanks to some aggressive baserunning. The first score was in the bottom of the first where she came home on a Miranda Hopper sacrifice fly. Then in the bottom of the third, she scored on a Hopper groundout. During each of those sequences, Dickerson stole a base and advanced on a passed ball.
“She did a great job,” Henryville head coach Jenny Schroeder said. “She got ahead of every batter she faced. Whenever we play Lanesville, it’s a battle. Getting big wins over Lanesville and South Central (on Wednesday) is good for us.”
Hornets blank Borden5/5/2011 by Matt Koesters and Kevin Harris (The Evening News)Ashley Dickerson tossed a one-hitter to lead visiting Henryville past Borden, 7-0.
Dickerson struck out seven and walked none. The lone hit she surrendered was a leadoff single to the Braves’ Sydni Nicks in the third.
Shelbie Farvour was the losing pitcher. She went the distance, yielding seven runs (six earned) on eight hits with four strikeouts and three walks.
“We’re not going to call it a moral victory,” Borden head coach Eric Stotts said. “We put the ball in play some, but we couldn’t scratch across any runs.”
Henryville overcomes fielding errors to down South Central5/4/2011 by Matt Koesters (The Evening News)Despite giving up four unearned runs in the first two innings, Henryville was still able to pull out an 8-7 victory over visiting South Central on Wednesday.
“Our defense has been killing us for the last few games, and we have to start stepping up and making plays,” Henryville coach Jenny Schroeder said.
Ashley Dickerson improved to 2-2 on the mound for the Hornets (5-7), pitching in place of Natalie Basham, who is out after suffering a torn bicep. Henryville coach Jenny Schroeder estimates Basham will be out at least a week.
“I’m happy to get a win,” Schroeder said. “It’s an important conference game for us, so to me, that was a big game for us to win.”
Providence downs error-prone Henryville5/3/2011 by Matt Koesters and Kevin Harris (The Evening News)CLARKSVILLE — The Providence softball team scored three runs in the fifth and sixth innings and Henryville committed seven errors to give the Pioneers an 8-5 victory at home on Tuesday.
Providence’s Morgan Habermel provided the late-inning heroics, knocking in two runs in the fifth and two more in the sixth. Habermel was 3-for-4 at the plate, including a double.
“Morgan Habermel had several big hits in the game today,” Providence coach Sean Payne said.
Relief pitcher Sierra Collett picked up her first win at the varsity level, working three innings and surrendering two earned runs. Collett struck out two Hornets and walked one in the win.
For Henryville, Ashley Dickerson was a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate and scored three times in the loss.
“Every time she came up, it seemed like she was starting an inning,” Payne said of Dickerson’s performance.
Mustangs run past Henryville4/30/2011 by Kevin Harris (The Evening News)Casey Johnson and Whitney Morris each stole three bases in New Washington’s 8-2 home win over Henryville.
Leading 2-0 after two innings, the Mustangs (4-3) scored five runs in the bottom of the third to extend their advantage to 7-0.
Morris was the winning pitcher, while Henryville’s Ashley Dickerson got the loss on the mound.
“We ran aggressively against them and we were aggressive at the plate,” New Washington head coach Tim Sexton said. “We made a couple of nice defensive plays.”
Highlanders thump Henryville4/29/2011 by Kevin Harris (The Evening News)Floyd Central scored four runs in the top of the first and cruised to a 10-1 win over Henryville at Prosser Field in New Albany. The game was moved to the neutral site because both teams’ diamonds were still wet from this week’s severe weather.
The Highlanders’ Katelin Kaiser went 2-for-2 with an RBI, a run scored and a stolen base. Teammate Samantha Feather was 2-for-4 with two RBIs, two runs scored and a stolen base.
Marissa Hobson was the winning pitcher. In a starting role, Hobson allowed no runs on one hit with three strikeouts and one walk.
Floyd Central head coach Joe Witten said his players were ready to play a game after several days of rainouts.
“We were just tired of looking at ourselves for the last seven or eight days,” Witten said. “We took advantage of a nice, sunny day.”
Henryville pitcher Natalie Basham went the distance in a losing effort. She yielded 14 hits and five walks while striking out three.
Pitching in Pink4/28/2011 by Matt Koesters (The Evening News)CLARKSVILLE — Providence and Henryville both sported pink on their uniforms to raise awareness for breast cancer research during their softball game on Thursday.
Providence principal Mindy Ernstberger and president Joan Hurley — both breast cancer survivors — threw pitches in a pre-game ceremony.
Unfortunately, two short but strong thunderstorms delayed the game itself, the second putting a stop to the action in the bottom of the fifth inning with the visiting Hornets leading 7-5.
“It was kind of a sloppy day all-around. But obviously, it was a high-hitting game on both sides and kind of back-and-forth,” Henryville coach Jenny Schroeder said. “It’s a shame that it was a game we couldn’t finish, because there was a lot of action in this one.”
Henryville struck first in the second inning, when pitcher Natalie Basham — who was hit by a pitch and reached third base on consecutive sacrifice plays — scored on a passed ball to draw first blood.
The Pioneers evened the score at 1-1 in the bottom of the inning when Hadley Anderson scored on a triple by Abby Swartz. Swartz was gunned down at home on a fielder’s choice when Jordan Stengel attempted to bat her in.
The Hornets retook the lead in the top of the third inning. With Brittany Davis already aboard, Ashley Dickerson swatted the ball to right field, dropping for a single. But thanks to a fielding error by Providence right fielder Meredith Endris, both Davis and Dickerson were able to reach home to give the Hornets a 3-1 lead.
After Henryville added another run in the top of the fourth, Providence responded in the bottom of the frame. With the bases loaded and two outs, Allie Gillenwater shot a line drive over the second baseman’s head and into right field. But just like during Henryville’s two-run third, Hornet right fielder Sydney Hollingsworth misplayed the ball and allowed all four Pioneers to score, giving Providence a 5-4 lead.
“Instead of keeping the ball in front and limiting them to two runs, she tried to make a play on it and it went by her,” Schroeder said. “She couldn’t get to it. In that situation, you’ve got to keep the ball in front of you and not let it go by, or what happens happened. That was bad.”
In the top of the fifth, nine Hornets appeared at the plate and Henryville retook the lead. After Carissa Embry and Basham both reached on walks, the Hornets’ Miranda Hopper bunted her way on to load the bases. Sarah Richey knocked Embry home with a single, and Sythea Maudlin plated two more runs with another base hit. Providence relief pitcher Kristen Markland finally ended the inning by striking out Jasmine Harrell.
Henryville’s field is not in playable condition, and the Hornets are scheduled to play at Floyd Central on Friday. If Floyd Central’s field is not ready to go, Henryville will start from scratch at Providence on Friday.
Hornets hitless at Jeffersonville4/26/2011 by Matt Koesters & Kevin Harris (The Evening News)JEFFERSONVILLE — Kayla Poppe struck out four in a no-hitter for the Jeffersonville softball team as the Red Devils downed Henryville at home on Tuesday, 4-0.
“She hit her spots well and she mixed it up well,” Jeff coach Jodi Bradley said.
Poppe allowed a total of just three baserunners, with two reaching on walks and the third reaching after being hit by an errant pitch. The Jeff defense allowed one more to reach on an error.
“We played really good defense behind her,” Bradley said. “She kept the ball down tonight, so it kept it on the ground a lot for us.”
Kasey Falkenstein knocked a double and Adrienne O’Neal was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate for Jeffersonville.
Lady Rebels out-slug softball Hornets 15-144/14/2011 by Courier Sports Staff (Madison Courier)Southwestern's softball team struck for six big runs on five hits in the first inning but it was a bunt single by Liz Anderson and a three-base Hornet error in the sixth that decided Thursday's slugfest with Henryville 15-14 in Hanover.
The Rebels and Hornets slugged it out all game - Henryville answered the Rebels' big first inning with a five-run second before going up 13-11 in the fourth - but despite all the offense on both sides Southwestern needed a final run in the sixth and to hold the Hornets in the seventh to secure the win.
"This was not the prettiest game, but it is a huge win for us," Rebels coach Kevin Brierly said. "Henryville has a good program, so it's a quality win."
The two teams combined for 32 hits on the night including a 20-hit attack by the host Rebels. All those hits, combined with nine errors and a combined six walks, kept the basepaths hopping all game. The only winning in which either team went down in order was the top of the first when Southwestern starter Tyler Smith made quick work of the Hornets before the fireworks could begin.
Henryville score twice in the third to knot the game 7-7 through two and one-half innings but Southwesern answered with four in the bottom of the third. Henryville bounced right back with a six-run fourth to take the 13-11 lead - a rally that didn't start until there were already two out but then drew fuel from five hits and three Southwestern errors.
But Southwestern didn't hang its head. The Rebels answered right back in the bottom of the fourth when Smith smashed a leadoff double to center followed by an RBI triple by Austin Courtney. Courtney then scored on a two-out single by Anderson and Anderson stole second and scored on a single by Katie Conover.
The three-run rally gave the Rebels put the Rebels up 14-13 and Southwestern never trailed from that point on. Both teams were busy in the fifth and sixth innings but neither team scored until Southwestern plated what proved to be a very important insurance run in the bottom of the sixth.
Liz Anderson laid down a two-out bunt that had single written all over it from the start. Henryville compounded the damage by overthrowing first base into right field and Anderson circled the bases to score on the three-base error for a 15-13 lead.
The Henryville throwing error immediately came back to haunt the Hornets in the top of the seventh when Henryville senior shortstop Ashley Dickerson smashed a one-out triple and then scored on a ground out to shortstop to close to within a run of the Rebels at 15-14. Southwestern reliever Emily McCane then got the next batter to pop-up to Rebels first baseman Dani Riley to reserve the one-run cushion and end the game.
Smith worked the very rough first four innings for Southwestern to earn the win while McCane picked up the save by scattering three Henryville hits over three innings to allow just one run in relief.
"We are really young at the pitcher spot, but I see signs of good things every day," Brierly said. "Emily McCane has been a pleasant surprise the last two games - she came in tonight and got the save. She has worked very hard in the offseason and has improved so much. I plan to start her on Monday - her first varsity start. We're starting three to four freshmen every game and they are really beginning to contribute."
Southwestern's 20-hit attack produced an unheard of six players with three-hit games.
Camille Cline was 3-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI; Smith as 3-for-4 with a double, three runs scored and two RBI; Courtney was 3-for-4 with a pair of triples, three runs score and three RBI; Watterson was 3-for-4 with a triple, a run scored and two RBI; Anderson was 3-for-5 with three runs scores and two RBI; and Conover was 3-for-5 with a double, two runs scored and an RBI.
"I couldn't be any more proud of our kids at the plate," Brierly said. "This was undoubtedly the best hitting performance since I've been at Southwestern. We had 20 hits and they were legitimate. I can't remember a team of mine ever having six kids get three hits each and we hit all through our lineup. We hit both of their pitchers and hit them well."
The downside to all that was the fact that Southwestern sprinkled in enough errors to make 20-hit, 15-run night still good for just a one-run win.
"We still made way too many mistakes in the field, but I keep hoping we're learning from them," Brierly said. "If we can just learn each game and improve a little each game, that's all I can ask at this point."
Hornets take down Mustangs4/8/2011 by Kevin Harris (The Evening News)Henryville’s Ashley Dickerson led off the game with a solo homer and the Hornets proceeded to win at New Washington, 8-2. It was the SAC opener for both teams.
Henryville catcher Sarah Richey went 3-for-4 with a double. She was equally impressive behind the plate, as she threw out two Mustangs trying to steal second base. Dickerson went 1-for-2 and stole two bases.
Hornet starter Natalie Basham collected a complete-game victory. She yielded two runs on six hits, striking out six and walking one.
“It was nice to come out in our first conference game and get a win,” Henryville head coach Jenny Schroeder said. “It was nice to see Sarah Richey step up for us.”
The biggest blow by New Washington was senior Casey Johnson smacking a solo homer in the bottom of the first off Basham. Whitney Morris was the losing pitcher.
New Albany pitching shuts down Henryville4/7/2011 by Matt Koesters (The Evening News)HENRYVILLE — New Albany pitcher Brittany Kaiser allowed just one run on four hits, Andrea Wright pitched two perfect innings of relief and the Bulldogs defeated host Henryville, 5-1 on Thursday.
“We were up, so I wanted to just relax her arm on some innings, give her some rest on some innings,” New Albany coach Steve Belden said, “and then I had a backup pitcher that needed some experience, so it worked out perfectly.”
Five of Wright’s six outs came on ground balls that were easily handled by the New Albany defense, and the sixth came on a routine fly ball to center field.
“Andrea’s a nice little pitcher,” Belden said. “She hits her spots, moves the ball. They’re going to put the bat on the ball, but she’ll take it off the sweet part of the bat and that’s fine.”
Leading 3-1 in the bottom of the fifth, Henryville had an opportunity to cut into the lead. With Siera Elifrits threatening at third base and one out, the Hornets’ Carissa Embry smoked a line drive down the third-base line. But the ball shot right into Bulldog Mady Baumann’s glove, who tagged Elifrits — who had been leading off the bag — for the unassisted double play to end the threat.
“I wanted (Elifrits) to score if the ball was put into play, and I wanted her to get a decent lead in case there was a passed ball, because their catcher was getting to passed balls quickly,” Henryville skipper Jenny Schroeder said. “So we had to get a decent lead if there was a passed ball. There’s nothing you can do in that situation. Even if she doesn’t have a big lead there, she gets picked. It was a (heck) of a play.”
New Albany’s production picked up in the second inning, courtesy of back-to-back fielding errors by the Henryville defense. Third baseman Sydney Brown popped up to second base, but the ball bounced off of the second baseman’s glove and fell harmlessly to the ground. On the next play, Abby Litkenhous grounded back to the pitcher, but the throw to first was off-line, allowing the Bulldogs runners at first and second with no outs.
After Brittany Jones hit into a fielder’s choice that cut down Brown at third, Whitten slugged a two-bagger that plated Litkenhous. Emily Bennet knocked in another run with a single, and it was 2-0 Bulldogs at the conclusion of the frame.
“We’ve got to be able to put runs on the board, but we’ve got to capitalize on mistakes,” Belden said. “We were able to do that tonight again.”
For Henryville, pitcher Natalie Basham took the loss. However, only two of the five runs she surrendered were earned.
“We have some girls out of position right now due to illness,” Schroeder said. “That’s no excuse. Those routine plays have to be made. We can’t expect to come out here and not make basic plays and then come out on top.”
Henryville sweeps doubleheader against Pacers4/2/2011 by Matt Koesters (The Evening News)HENRYVILLE — The Henryville softball team won both games of a doubleheader against Switzerland County at home on Saturday, winning the first game, 14-4 in six innings and the second game, 11-5.
Through their typically aggressive baserunning, the Hornets forced the Pacers to commit five errors in the first game and seven in the second.
“We run pretty aggressively, and sometimes we get thrown out when teams make plays,” Henryville skipper Jenny Schroeder said. “When we don’t, we score extra runs. (These games were) no exception to that. We did get thrown out some, and we did score some extra runs, too.”
The Hornets were able to produce early and often in the first contest, opening the contest with a three-run first inning. With one out, Carissa Embry reached on a walk, and Natalie Basham got to first on a Switzerland County error. Embry was picked off at third base on a Sythea Maudlin fielder’s choice, and then Sarah Richey batted in Maudlin and Basham. Richey advanced to third on an error and came home on a passed ball.
Although the subsequent innings were productive for the Hornets, they struggled to maintain a consistent attack until the sixth inning, when six hits and two walks resulted in a seven-run inning.
“It was not the kind of pitching we normally practice or are used to,” Schroeder said. “It took a little while to catch up to it, but when we did we were fine.”
In the second game, the Hornets produced four runs in the second inning and seven more in the third, using four hits and three walks to get it done. Ashley Dickerson hit a double with the bases loaded for three RBIs to put the game out of reach early on.
“You get walked three times and four hits, you’re going to create some runs,” Schroeder said.
Hornets fall to Corydon4/1/2011 by Kevin Harris (The Evening News)Host Henryville committed six errors to even its record at 1-1 with a 7-2 loss to Corydon.
Hornets pitcher Natalie Basham threw all seven innings, giving up seven runs on 10 hits with six strikeouts and four walks.
She did a great job. Ive been impressed with her so far, Henryville head coach Jenny Schroeder said. But you cant make six errors and expect to win.
Basham also got one of Henryvilles two hits, which was a one-out RBI double in the bottom of the first. The Hornets other hit was a Miranda Hopper single.
Henryville scored its second run in the bottom of the fifth when Erin Hairston scored on an error with two out.
Henryville roughs up West Washington3/30/2011 by Matt Koesters (The Evening News)SOUTHERN INDIANA — The defending regional champion Henryville softball team opened its season with a 19-4 thumping of host West Washington on Wednesday.
The Hornets got things going early on with a five-run first inning. Jasmine Harrell singled and advanced on a wild pitch, and then made it home on a single by Carissa Embry. Natalie Basham reached on error and Sythea Maudlin brought her home with another RBI single.
“You never know when you have six girls graduate, so you kind of don’t know what to expect until you get out there,” Henryville coach Jenni Schroeder said. “The girls did a good job. It’s a good way to start off the season.”
With the win, Henryville begins its defense of the regional crown it won last season.
“It’s a lofty task,” Schroeder said.
Basham got the win for Henryville on the mound.
