Cripe’s 2-run blast lifts No. 1 Pioneer past No. 3 Boone Grove

BY VAL TSOUTSOURIS

Sports Editor, RTC

Hailey Cripe hit a two-run homer in the top of the sixth inning, and Hailey Gotshall pitched a six-hitter with nine strikeouts as the top-ranked Pioneer softball team beat Boone Grove 2-1 in a Class 2A, Sectional 34 semifinal at Winamac Town Park Wednesday.

Gotshall also had three hits at the plate for Pioneer, who won their 18th straight game and improved to 30-2.

Cripe’s homer was her 21st and came with Gotshall on base. Shelbyville’s Karissa Hamilton leads the state with 22 homers.

Brooklyn Borges returned from a knee injury to go 1 for 3 for the Lady Panthers. Mackenzie Robinson did not play.

Boone Grove took a 1-0 lead on Jamie Botma’s homer in the second inning.

Kailyn Coates and Marianna Broton had two hits each for the No. 3 Lady Wolves, who finished 20-6.

Natalee Meinert struck out nine for Boone Grove but took the loss in the circle.

Pioneer will play No. 15 Winamac in the sectional final at 6 p.m. Thursday. Winamac beat North Judson 18-1 in five innings in their semifinal Tuesday.

Pioneer topped Winamac 7-2 in their Hoosier North meeting on April 19.

Pioneer 2, Boone Grove 1

Pioneer 000 002 0 – 2

Boone Grove 010 000 0 – 1

WP – Hailey Gotshall (7 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 9 K)

LP – Meinert (7 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 9 K)

2B – Atteberry (BG)

HR – Botma (BG), Hailey Cripe (PIO)