Center Grove celebrates after recording the final out of Saturday’s semistate semifinal against Castle.
Rob Baker | For the Daily Journal
BEDFORD
Two down-and-backs to Bedford North Lawrence in three days might not sound enticing, though fifth-ranked Center Grove is happy to do it.
A series of steady rain showers eventually halted Class 4A semistate action on Saturday, but not before the Trojans hung on for a 6-5 victory over top-ranked Castle in the morning semifinal.
New Palestine, the state’s No. 4 team, led Avon, 2-0, in the third inning of the second semi when play was suspended. The Dragons and Orioles resume play on Monday at 1 p.m., with the winner to face Center Grove (25-6) in the title game at 7.
“It was so fun to play in. Definitely one of the most competitive games I’ve played in,” said Trojans senior leadoff hitter Hannah Haberstroh, who tripled and homered in Saturday’s win. “Both teams really wanted to win, and at the end of the day, we strung some hits together and played for each other.
“It was definitely a team win. We needed everybody.”
Center Grove and Castle continued to hot-potato the momentum back and forth. One team’s lead was the other’s opportunity to rally. The Trojans tallied five of their runs over the course of the final three innings.
Castle put three runs on the board in the bottom of the fifth to take a 4-3 lead, but Center Grove went ahead for good with two runs in the top of the sixth.
Freshman Ava Krupa delivered a 2-2 pitch into left for a one-out single to get things started. Another frosh, relief pitcher Taylor Barrett, then made it all the way to third base after Castle right fielder Aubrey Baker misplayed the ball. That tied the score at 4-4. Junior Ana Powell’s single to center brought home Kiersten Hardin, who had been inserted as a courtesy runner for Barrett.
The Trojans added an insurance run in the seventh inning, with Brynn Meyer’s bunt single followed by a Riley Janda base hit and Sydney Herrmann’s RBI single.
Barrett, who came on in the bottom of the fifth to relieve senior starter Riley Henson, gave up a solo homer to senior first baseman Lydia Stowe in the seventh. She then walked a batter, struck out the next two and allowed a single from the Knights’ No. 9 hitter, senior center fielder Aleyna Quinn.
Castle leadoff hitter leadoff hitter Emma Bruggenschmidt flied out to end the suspense.
The Knights (28-6) finished with 15 hits to the Trojans’ 11. Barrett had both a double and triple for Center Grove.
Even though the Trojans would have been the better-rested squad had the championship game been played on Saturday, the extra 48 hours will no doubt benefit them.
“I think it helps our team,” Haberstroh said. “It was a long day, so just having an overall reset helps us.”
