NEW PALESTINE
Indian Creek broke a tie with a two-run third inning and led the rest of the way in a 5-2 victory over Rushville in a softball sectional semifinal at New Palestine on Wednesday.
The Braves (9-13) will play the host Dragons, the defending Class 3A state champion, in the sectional final today at 6 p.m.
“Being my last year, it’s nice to make it to the championship game,” senior outfielder Michaela Denney said. “At the beginning of the year when we were 0-3, I didn’t think we would get this far. It’s nice that we came together at the right time.”
Tied 1-1 in the third, Emily Todor doubled to left field to score Denney, who had hit a one-out single. Todor then scored on a single up the middle by Jozie Farris to give the Braves a 3-1 lead.
Farris, who went 3 for 3, got the Braves on the board in the first inning with an RBI double to center field. It scored Denney, who led the game off by reaching on an error.
“It hasn’t been that way all season. Today, we got the timely hits,” coach Gary Mitchell said. “(Denney) drove things for us. She did a good job of getting it started.”
Rushville (8-15) scored first on a first-inning, first-pitch home run by Betsy Muir. Kendra Hamilton added a two-out homer in the fifth inning for the Lions.
Winning pitcher Delaney Heminger went the distance for the first time this season. She struck out four and gave up six hits.
“She had a hip injury last year and has been doing what she can. She’s been getting stronger and stronger,” Mitchell said.
“I felt pretty good,” Heminger added. “I’m proud of the game (catcher Makena Hogue) called and I’m proud of my teammates. It was as much them as it was me.”
The Braves had seven hits, three each in the third and sixth innings.
“You want to be (in the championship game),” Mitchell added. “I’m excited to get a win behind us. We’ll show up and play our best tomorrow. I know we will compete.”
