Like any good pitcher, MacKenzie Bieker stood to benefit from solid defense and timely hitting.
Meanwhile, Edinburgh’s junior hurler did her part in the Lancers’ 4-1 victory at Indian Creek on Thursday in the first round of the Johnson County tournament.
The hard-throwing right-hander yielded just five hits to the Braves while striking out nine to help Edinburgh avenge a 3-0 home loss to Indian Creek on April 24.
Edinburgh (10-10) qualified to play at top-seeded Center Grove in a Saturday morning semifinal.
“Honestly, as a team I think we wanted it more, and we fought more for it,” Bieker said. “There was a lot more teamwork, and we were more put together than what we were last time.
“We were pretty much getting ready for this all week. I think it was more about advancing, but beating them was definitely a plus.”
The Lancers put three runs across in the top of the third inning thanks to three consecutive doubles from freshman leadoff hitter Kenna Streeval, junior Ailx Streeval and senior Gracie Crahown.
Indian Creek (7-12) countered with a run in the bottom half of the fifth, starting with Addison Shaub reaching first base on a Lancers fielding error. Singles by Delaney Jones and Hannah Emenhiser eventually got the Braves on the board.
Edinburgh tacked on another run in the seventh, Crawhorn’s one-out double to deep left scoring Kenna Streeval, who had delivered a single.
Jones, Indian Creek’s freshman pitching ace, surrendered eight hits and recorded 12 strikeouts. Kenna Streeval finished with three hits and Crawhorn added two for the Lancers.
Edinburgh coach Ben Taylor liked his squad’s resiliency, particularly that of Bieker.
“I think after the last game (against Indian Creek), the game being so close and being a great pitcher’s duel, I think that weighed on Mac a little bit,” Taylor said. “I feel like she came out ready to get this one this time.”
Indian Creek stranded a total of seven baserunners over the final four innings, leaving the bases loaded in the bottom of the fourth.
