Gearhart has 2 hits, but Winamac falls to Boone Grove

BY VAL TSOUTSOURIS

Sports Editor, RTC

Ella Gearhart had two hits and an RBI, and Emma Goodman had a hit an RBI, but the Winamac softball team lost 9-2 to Boone Grove in a Class 2A, Sectional 34 quarterfinal at North Judson Monday.

Brooke-Lynne Ulerick contributed a double for the Lady Warriors, who finished 14-10. Maggie Smith and Alexis Sheets each had a hit and a run scored. Samantha Perry also had a hit.

Gearhart took the loss in the circle, allowing eight hits and nine runs (three earned) in seven innings. She walked one and struck out four.

Boone Grove scored six runs in the top of the fourth to take a 7-2 lead. They added to their lead with single runs in the fifth and seventh.

Sophomore Natalee Meinert pitched a complete game with no walks and 14 strikeouts for No. 5 Boone Grove, who improved to 15-4.

Emily Veschak had two singles, a double and four RBIs for the Lady Wolves. Mercedes Szakacs had two hits and two RBIs.

Winamac committed eight errors while Boone Grove had none.

Boone Grove will play No. 3 Hebron, who received a bye, in a semifinal at 5:30 p.m. Eastern Tuesday.

In Monday’s other quarterfinal, No. 9 North Newton routed North Judson 18-0 in five innings. North Newton awaits either Rensselaer or Pioneer in the semifinals. The Rensselaer-Pioneer game is set for 7:15 p.m. Eastern Tuesday.

Boone Grove 9, Winamac 2

Boone Grove 100 610 1 – 9 9 0

Winamac 002 000 0 – 2 7 8

WP – Meinert (7 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 14 K)

LP – Ella Gearhart (7 IP, 8 H, 9 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 4 K)

2B – Veschak (BG), Brooke-Lynne Ulerick (WIN)