PREP ROUNDUP: Logan softball splits with Western in 3A showdown

Western (13-3, 4-2 HC East) is the defending state champion in Class 3A and is the Berries’ new rival in both 3A and the Hoosier Conference.

The Berries (10-2, 3-1) gained some state recognition earlier this week as they have the 13th most votes in Class 3A.

After managing just three hits Tuesday, the Berries came out swinging Wednesday and outhit the Panthers 13-2.

Gracie Risley pitched a two-hitter and struck out 10. She pitched around five walks.

Risley had two hits at the plate including a triple and four runs scored. Natalee Packard had two hits including a two-run home run. Adrienne Scott had three hits which included a three-run triple.

More coverage of Wednesday’s game will appear online Thursday and in Friday’s Pharos-Tribune.

In the Berries’ 4-0 loss Tuesday, they managed just three hits against Western senior Kylie Miller, who walked two and struck out 10.

Packard had a double and Scott and Rylinn Spradling each added a single.

Packard allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits, striking out nine.

The Berries pitched around Western junior standout Brynley Erb, who is headed to play at the University of Kentucky. She walked all three times at the plate and she came around to score twice.

Packard worked three scoreless frames before an error on a dropped fly ball led to the first run in the fourth. With a runner on second and no outs, Erb was intentionally walked. Jocelyn Jeffers followed with an RBI single. Following a bunt single, Kayleigh Auth singled to center to make it 2-0.

Western added two more runs in the fifth. Kamryn Garber led off with a double. Erb was intentionally walked with one out. Jeffers hit a two-run double to left.

Jeffers finished with two hits and three RBIs. Erb scored two runs.

Logan hosts Winamac on Thursday.

WINAMAC 9, CULVER 6

Class 2A No. 9 Winamac moved to 11-1 and 3-0 in the HNAC with a win over visiting Culver.

Brooke Rausch and Adrianna Hall combined for the win. Rausch allowed four runs (three earned) on four hits in four innings, striking out six. Hall allowed two runs (none earned) on two hits in three innings, fanning four.

Makayla Werner went 3-for-3 with a double. Corrin Combs went 3-for-4 with a double. Grace Roth added a double. Hall, Rausch, Brody Goodman and Maggie Keller each added a hit.

MAC 9, CASTON 5

Caston (1-10) led 5-3 after four innings before Maconaquah rallied for three in the bottom of the fifth and three more in the sixth.

The Comets made 11 errors in the loss. Hadlie Coffing allowed nine runs (two earned) on five hits and four walks, striking out seven.

Alex Mersch had a home run and single for the Comets. Coffing had a double. Ava Russell, Kylee Logan and Myli Rude each added a hit.

BASEBALL

CASTON 12, SOUTHWOOD 2

Caston (11-4) rolled past visiting Southwood (0-9).

Carson Harness allowed two runs (one earned) on six hits in four innings, striking out six. Craig pitched a scoreless inning of relief.

Eli Holloway went 3-for-4 with a double. Logan Mollenkopf had a triple, three RBIs and four runs scored. Harness and Gavin Mollenkopf had two hits apiece. Noah Herd, Parker Zimpleman, Tucker Woolever and Lane Halterman each added a hit.

WINAMAC 8, NORTH JUDSON 7

Winamac (10-4, 8-2 HNAC) completed a sweep of the Bluejays with a road win.

It was a game the Warriors blew a 7-0 lead by allowing the Jays to score seven runs in the bottom of the fifth. But the Warriors answered with a run in the top of the sixth and held on.

“That’s a game I don’t know if we could have won a year ago,” Winamac coach Mark Hendryx said. “I told the boys at 7-0, Judson won’t quit you have to stay on the gas. Judson battled to tie it and the boys responded so well. They shook it off and went out and scored the go ahead run. I’m proud of every one of them.”

Hutch Martin and Brody Wenzler had two hits apiece to lead Winamac. Will Malchow, Cash Roth, Brayden Mathias and Cody Wheeler each added a hit.

Mathias allowed three runs on one hit and five walks, striking out seven in 4 2/3 innings. Addison Allen allowed four runs on four hits and two walks, striking out three in 2 1/3 innings of relief to get the win.

PIONEER 21, OREGON-DAVIS 1

Pioneer (6-6, 5-3 HNAC) completed a sweep of Oregon-Davis with a road win.

BERRIES SPLIT

Logansport (9-6, 2-2 HC East) split a pair of games with Hamilton Heights. The Berries dropped Tuesday’s game on the road 3-0 and won Wednesday’s game 3-0.

Carson Dubes (6-0) pitched six shutout innings Wednesday and maintained his state lead for most wins. More coverage of the game will appear online Thursday and in Friday’s paper.

In the 3-0 loss Tuesday, the Berries committed three errors in the fifth inning that led to all three runs.

Josh Middleton took the loss, allowing three runs (none earned) on one hit and no walks, striking out two in five innings. Jose Portilla pitched a scoreless inning of relief, allowing one hit while striking out one.

The Berries managed just two hits against DePauw-bound senior Nick Hulen, who walked two and struck out 13. Hulen and Dubes will be teammates at DePauw next year.

Wabash College-bound Deagan Kitchel had both hits and finished 2-for-3.

Logan fell out of the running for the Hoosier Conference title with the loss. Western has secured the HC East Division title with a 5-1 division mark. The Berries travel to Lewis Cass on Friday.

GIRLS TENNIS

CASS 5, PERU 0

Cass dominated the singles points to highlight its victory over TRC foe Peru.

Katie Hurst won 6-2, 6-1 at No. 1 singles, Guadalupe Gonzalez won 6-0, 6-0 at No. 2 and Eliana Cicalo also won by double bagels at No. 3.

At the doubles points, Maryn Zeck and Kennedy McLaughlin won 6-1, 7-6 (7-4) at No. 1 and Ruby Villanueva and Mia Hall won 6-4, 6-2 at No. 2.

“Surprisingly the rain stayed away … but the wind was strong,” Cass coach Matt Hurst said. “The girls played well up and down the courts to start the week of play with a win.”

BOYS GOLF

LOGAN 173, MAC 202

Logansport recorded a win over Maconaquah at Rock Hollow.

Sophomore Evan Brandstatter shot a 41 to earn medalist honors for the Berries. He was followed by Eli Baldwin (42), Graham Taylor (45) and Logan Lange (45).

T. VALLEY 166, CASS 183

Nolan Hines led Cass in the match at Round Barn G.C. with a 40. The Kings also counted Brody Hillis’ 47, Matthew Minnick’s 47 and Harrison Clark’s 49.