Greencastle was down — way down — but refused to be out.
The Cubs scored six runs in the bottom of the seventh inning for a dramatic 9-8 victory against Indian Creek at the Braves’ Class 3A sectional Tuesday night.
Greencastle (5-11) next faces Danville in Thursday’s 6 p.m. championship game at Indian Creek.
Coach Gary Mitchell’s squad closed its season with a record of 9-14.
“We needed one out, and we didn’t get it,” Mitchell said after addressing his team on the left-field grass. “(Greencastle) got hot at the right time and came back and nipped us. Congratulations to them.
“It wasn’t that we didn’t want it. We were trying hard. Everybody on this team contributed tonight, played hard, and nobody gave up. Ball didn’t bounce our way down the stretch. I told the kids all year long they fought hard, and they never quit.”
Indian Creek took a seemingly comfortable 8-3 lead into the bottom of the final frame on the strength of three singles from senior second baseman Zoey Gatton and Sydney Williams’ solo home run in the top of the seventh.
But three singles by Greencastle loaded the bases for the Cubs with no outs.
A run scored on a passed ball and catcher Kenlee Johnson’s double off the center-field fence off Braves sophomore reliever Rachel Kyle brought Greencastle even closer.
The game-winner eventually came off the bat of leadoff hitter Julia Mundy, whose single brought home Gracie Foster.
Danville made its way to Thursday’s title contest with a 22-0 romp against Indianapolis Washington in five innings.
