The softball season didn’t end quite how Edinburgh pitcher Maddi Clark would’ve liked a year ago.
In the third inning of the Lancers’ Class A regional game against Hauser, Clark was injured in a collision at home plate and had to exit, opening the doors for the Jets to roll to a 12-1 win.
Now a junior, Clark is ready to help lead Edinburgh on what she hopes is a deep postseason run. The Lancers are certainly capable — and their ace pitcher is a big reason why.
Clark has again been highly effective in the circle, posting an earned-run average of 1.84 and displaying impeccable control — she has struck out 108 hitters this season while walking just nine.
“I think I’ve gotten a little smarter,” she said. “On plays where I need to cover and where to throw balls in certain counts.”
“She’s definitely got a little more confidence,” added her father, Edinburgh coach Stephen Clark. “Playing year-round (with the Indiana Shockwaves travel team) definitely helps that. She’s definitely seasoned in the circle.”
And at the plate. A .290 hitter a year ago, Clark has bumped her batting average all the way up to .483 this spring, putting yet another potent bat in a dangerous Lancers lineup. Seven different regulars are hitting .370 or above, and sophomore catcher Sidney Beier ranks among the state leaders in several offensive categories.
Edinburgh has grown more confident with each passing week, and as the host and clear favorite in this week’s sectional, the Lancers will likely put themselves in position to get yet another crack at neighbor and nemesis Hauser.
The two teams played a pair of one-run games earlier in the season, with the Jets pulling out both.
“It’s always fun playing them, because I’ve grown up playing Tessa (Sims) and Hailey (Lange),” Maddi Clark said. “We’ve kind of made a little friendship; it’s always really fun to play them. It’d be nice to beat them, though — finally get one on them.
“We’re always so close, and they always find a way to get us.”
Stephen Clark says his team knows better than to look ahead; the Lancer veterans have some experience with losing games to inferior competition, so nobody is looking past the sectional games just yet.
The expectations, though, are certainly higher.
“The confidence level is up pretty high,” Stephen Clark said, and if they keep playing like they should, it should be a pretty good finish to the year.”
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Class 4A Center Grove Sectional
Today
Martinsville vs. Franklin Central, 5:30 p.m.
Center Grove vs. Franklin, 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday
Today’s winners, 5:30 p.m.
Whiteland vs. Greenwood, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday
Championship, 6 p.m.
Class 3A Indian Creek Sectional
Today
Danville vs. Indian Creek, 5:30 p.m.
Indianapolis Washington vs. Greencastle, 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday
Today’s winners, 5:30 p.m.
Beech Grove vs. Indianapolis Northwest, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday
Championship, 6 p.m.
Class A Edinburgh Sectional
Today
Edinburgh vs. Southwestern (Shelbyville), 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday
Greenwood Christian vs. Waldron, 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday
Today’s winner vs. Morristown, 5:30 p.m.
Thursday
Championship, 5:30 p.m.
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Class 4A Center Grove Sectional
Favorite: Center Grove
Dark horse: Franklin Central
Players to watch: Center Grove — Hannah Burris, Abby Herbst, Tyler LeMasters, Jordyn Rudd; Franklin — Haley Hull, Rilee King, Payton Parker; Franklin Central — Katie Back, Claire Gilliland, Taytum Schaney; Greenwood — Allison Hayes, Kaitlyn Heffner, Alexis Rees; Martinsville — Paige Dorsett, Annah Elliott, Lexis Lucas; Whiteland — Lindsey Boltz, Maddy Margraf, Skye Scott.
Outlook: A year after being upended by Franklin Central, Center Grove enters this year’s sectional as the clear favorite. The Trojans’ toughest test would likely be a potential semifinal against the Martinsville-Franklin Central winner, but they’ve already beaten both. Expect Center Grove to move on to the regional with little difficulty.
Class 3A Indian Creek Sectional
Favorite: Danville
Dark horse: Indian Creek
Players to watch: Beech Grove — Reecie Gilliam, Mallory Storms; Danville — Kate Barton, Emma Dwyer, Kaiti Skinner; Greencastle — Layna Robinson, Mckenzie Woodall; Indian Creek — Dori Knight, Rachel Kyle, Kasey Wilhoit.
Outlook: The blind draw certainly didn’t do Danville or Indian Creek any favors. The Warriors and Braves, far and away the top two teams in the draw, will face one another in the first game of the sectional. If the Braves can get to Danville ace Dwyer and put up enough runs to win that showdown, the path to a regional spot should be pretty clear from there.
Class A Edinburgh Sectional
Favorite: Edinburgh
Dark horse: Southwestern (Shelbyville)
Players to watch: Edinburgh — Sidney Beier, Maddi Clark, Vanessa McManaway, Bailey Woodall; Greenwood Christian — Morgan Haynes, Tara Pennycuff, Faith Shilket; Morristown — Lily Baker, Shade Bridgford, Shelby Hudson; Southwestern — McKayla McGuire.
Outlook: Nothing is a sure thing until the games are played, but all signs point to the host Lancers cruising through the week. Edinburgh has played five games against the field, winning those by a combined score of 74-5. The lone team the Lancers haven’t yet faced is GCA, a potential opponent in the title game.
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