Whiteland’s Trinity Borders lays down a bunt during Thursday’s game at Greenwood.
Sam Findley | For the Daily Journal
Whiteland senior Debbie Hill can feel things turning around at the place.
“‘I’ve been in a little bit of a slump, but I’m starting to work out of it,” Hill said.
Hill was 2 for 3 with a walk and a run batted to help to lead the Class 4A No. 5 Warriors to a 10-3 victory over Greenwood in Mid-State Conference softball action on Thursday. Sophomore center fielder Josslynn Harbert was 3 for 4 with three RBIs for Whiteland (14-0, 8-0).
Junior shortstop Emma Piercy added two hits and sophomore catcher Maddy Myers hit a home run for the Warriors, who had 11 hits.
Whiteland scored six runs in the third inning to take a 6-0 lead. After Greenwood scored two runs, Whteland came right back with three runs in the fourth inning.
“We started to come together and hitting the ball hard,” Hill said. “Once we start to come together as one, it turns into lots of runs.”
Hill said the Warriors have been able to keep a solid mental mindset with the unpredictable weather.
“We know it’s tough,” she said, “but everybody has to play through it and we’ve been mentally tough.”
Although the game was at Greenwood (4-8, 1-7), Whiteland was the home team.
“Last time they came to our place and they were home, so we had to switch it up,” Warriors coach Katie Mitchell said. “The game is still the game, which is nice.”
Hill is the Warriors’ top pitcher as a senior but played first base Thursday. Freshman Kiley Sullivan went all seven innings.
“Debbie is our senior leader, but Kiley has pitched quite a bit. Kiley did a great job tonight,” Mitchell said. “Our team does well regardless who is pitching, backing them up. Emma did a great job at shortstop. We had a couple good plays in the outfield as well. Halle Nett knocked one down in the middle infield. We had tough defense today; I’m proud of them.”
Greenwood had five hits, including a two-run double by Samantha Garret.
“It’s hard to to beat the great teams, and they are definitely one of the great teams this year,” Woodmen co-coach Greg Norwood said. “It doesn’t matter if they throw their No. 1, 2 or 3 pitcher, they are still hitting the ball well as a group. We are trying to have our success and score with odd scenarios, taking an extra base and stealing when it’s unorthodox, putting a third bunt down when you have two strikes.”
Norwood said there were some positive plays in the field.
“There were some effort plays. (Anna) Pritchett diving into the outfield while going back on a ball,” Norwood said. “A couple of outfielders making a play on the ball they don’t normally make and feeding the ball back, so not a bad day. Our struggle is locating our pitches. Once we locate our pitches better, we can score some runs. We can’t generate 10 or 12 runs most of the time.”
Greenwood used two pitchers and two catchers. Norwood said the team has a passed ball issue.
“We gave up four runs on passed balls,” Norwood said. “Hard to win a close game when you give up four runs on passed balls.”
