Center Grove’s Brynn Meyer, left, tries to tag out Roncalli’s Lyla Blackwell during Monday’s game.
Chris Williams | For the Daily Journal
INDIANAPOLIS
Few, if any, will be caught off guard if a Center Grove-Roncalli rematch takes place in 39 days.
In the meantime, the events that transpired Monday between the top two teams in Class 4A could best be described as one startlingly lopsided appetizer.
The second-ranked and two-time defending state champion Royals recorded a hit in their first five at-bats on their way to a four-run first inning and a 17-0 five-inning shutout win over the Trojans, who had just ascended into the No. 1 poll position earlier in the day.
Bug, meet windshield.
“I definitely didn’t expect that, I’ll be honest,” Center Grove coach Alyssa Coleman said after watching her squad drop to 15-3 on the season. “I did expect (Roncalli) to put some runs up, but man, did it happen in a hurry. Kudos to them. They can hit.”
Freshman pitcher Aiyana Keown started for the Trojans opposite Roncalli’s all-everything senior, Keagan Rothrock. Center Grove’s usual No. 1, junior Riley Henson, owner of an 11-1 record this season with 96 strikeouts in 71 2/3 innings, rested and watched from the dugout.
Roncalli (10-2-1) finished with 18 base hits to the Trojans two.
Afterward, Center Grove players and coaches were in good spirits while assembling in the right field grass.
“We really stress small victories to this group,” said Coleman, whose squad could meet Roncalli again in early June at the semistate. “We’re doing what we can with what we’ve got at the moment, and I’m happy with our team. I would choose us all day.”
Senior leftfielder Abbey Hoffman’s line drive three-run home run over the left-field fence keyed Roncalli’s huge first frame.
Royals leadoff hitter Lyla Blackwell singled and stole second base to get things started. Sophomore Carley Keller followed with a single of her own, and Hoffman’s frozen rope off of Keown wasted no time clearing the outfield grass and, eventually, the fence.
Rothrock doubled off the top of top section of the center-field fence and later made it home on a sacrifice fly from senior shortstop Lauren Marsicek.
Roncalli’s second go-round at the plate proved even more productive with 12 at-bats, seven hits and seven more runs for an 11-0 cushion.
Another Trojan freshman, Riley Fuhr, was called on to pitch after three consecutive singles were issued in the second. Keown returned to the mound with no outs and the score 14-0 in the bottom of the third following Marsicek’s three-run round-tripper.
“In my opinion, they didn’t quit on the mound, and that’s all we can ask,” said Coleman, referring to the efforts of Keown and Fuhr. “That, at the end of the day, is something we’ve been stressing. Have that resiliency and that grit to keep going.
“Our team has shown that in a few outings. We’re never going to roll over.”
Rothrock, a Whiteland resident, doubled twice and singled; she also struck out eight Trojan hitters, allowing only singles to senior shortstop Ashlynn Wolff and junior leadoff Hannah Haberstroh.
Blackwell, who lives in Franklin and is committed to play college softball at Virginia Tech, put her speed and daring to good use with three singles and four stolen bases.
“I did hear that their normal starter wasn’t going to pitch, but I also know (Center Grove) is stacked,” Blackwell said. “I did not expect 17-0. I expected it to be close. The spirit had been up the whole day, so we were all feeling good.
“We’ve just been hitting really good the past couple of weeks. The second one person hit that ball, it just followed up.”
Center Grove faces another stern road test on Wednesday when it plays at New Palestine. The Royals hit the road today against Heritage Christian.
