Whiteland softball didn’t close quite as impressively as it started, but it was close.
Scoring seven runs in the first inning and bookending with five in the fifth, the Warriors cruised past visiting Indian Creek, 13-3, in five innings on Thursday.
All nine starters collected at least one hit for Whiteland, led by senior second baseman Halle Nett’s two doubles and junior third baseman Madison Myers picking up a double of her own to go along with a single.
Senior pitcher Emma Davis went the distance for the Warriors (9-6), allowing three hits and striking out two while working around seven walks.
Indian Creek (4-9) finished the game with six errors, four of which were committed in the opening inning.
“I think we kept great energy throughout,” first-year Whiteland coach Harley Roller said. “We got a little distracted at times, but they stayed on the gas and didn’t let up. We didn’t get lazy on defense, and we stood behind our pitcher.
“I think tonight we got some good cuts in. The top half of our lineup has been producing all season, and it was nice to see the bottom half of the lineup get some good confidence. That’s what I was really happy with.”
The Braves’ early defensive struggles helped the home squad take control early.
Leadoff hitter Josslyn Harbert walked, shortstop Emma Piercy brought her home by reaching third base on a Braves miscue and sophomore first baseman Kiley Sullivan walked. Nett and Myers followed with consecutive doubles for a quick 4-0 advantage.
Leftfielder Ava Smith, the team’s No. 8 hitter, singled with two out to make it a 5-0 score; another Braves error and Aubrey Felker’s sacrifice fly were responsible for the other runs.
Freshman pitcher Jacqueline Hammond got the start for Indian Creek but was unable to make it through the first as Whiteland sent a total of 13 batters to the plate. Senior Hannah Emenhiser and sophomore Rylan DeHart were called on in relief for Indian Creek.
The Braves put two runs across in the top of the third on a wild pitch and a sac fly from freshman first baseman Delaney Jones. The Warriors made it 8-2 in the bottom half, but the Braves responded the next frame, loading the bases before leadoff hitter Allison Gavin delivered a sacrifice fly to left.
Indian Creek’s three hits were a triple from sophomore Amelia Woodke and singles by Jones and Hammond. The three Braves pitchers combined to walk seven.
“I think it is a little hard to stay focused, but I think we all have each other’s back,” Nett said. “With most of us having played softball together for a while, it shows we have good team chemistry and are able to work well with each other.”
Whiteland plays at Shelbyville on Monday and returns home on Tuesday to host Mid-State Conference foe Decatur Central. The Braves are at Brownstown Central this afternoon, and at Martinsville on Monday.
