HIGH SCHOOL

Carmel eliminates Hamilton Southeastern in softball

Tom Moor
Star correspondent

FISHERS – Since Carmel lost to Hamilton Southeastern in its season opener two months ago, the Greyhounds have waited patiently for another shot at the Royals.

That day finally came Monday – and Carmel took full advantage of the opportunity.

The Greyhounds scored five runs in the top of second inning to put the pressure on the Royals and held on for a 7-4 win in a Class 4A softball sectional quarterfinal game at Fishers High School.

The win advances Carmel to a Tuesday sectional semifinal game.

The loss snapped fourth-ranked HSE's 17-game win streak and chance at advancing to a second straight state championship game.

"It was huge for us," said Carmel junior pitcher Kristyn Eckl, who picked up the complete game win. "We lost to them in the championship game of sectionals last year, so it's been a goal for us. It was a total team effort, and we finally made it."

The Greyhounds (20-8), ranked No. 13, put on a hitting clinic in the second inning against the Royals' ace, sophomore Savanna Copeland.

Carmel recorded three hits and walked in the second. Already leading 3-0, Greyhounds junior designated player Julia Rannel hit a two-run homer over the left-center-field fence to make it 5-0.

Third baseman Maddy Griffin added an RBI single, while sophomore second baseman Karly Combs led off the inning with a double off the wall.

"We knew Savanna was a great pitcher and that they're a good team," Carmel coach Emily Good said. "We knew we needed to put plenty of runs across to complete. We were able to make some adjustments at the plate and put the ball in play."

"It's a huge win," she added. "They were the first game of the season. We've been waiting for them and preparing for the tournament."

Trailing 6-0, the Royals (21-3) scored three runs in the bottom of the fourth to cut the lead to 6-3. The biggest hit came from junior catcher Ally Goley, who hit a two-run homer, her first of the season.

With one more chance in the bottom of the seventh and trailing 7-3, the HSE walked and hit three straight singles with no outs to cut the lead to 7-4.

With the bases still loaded, Copeland popped up to Greyhounds senior shortstop Riley Tejcek, who stepped on second base for the double play. The game ended when HSE senior shortstop Ashley Scurlock popped up to second base with runners on the corners.

"It's tough to be down 5-0," HSE coach David Cook said. "Two-zero or 3-0 would have looked a lot different, but this was a lot to dig out from."

Good called the double play a "momentum shifter."

"We knew they'd complete until the end," she said of HSE.

Eckl allowed 11 hits, two walks and struck out nine. After HSE scored three runs in the fourth, Eckl pitched perfect fifth and sixth innings to keep her team in front.

"It's always huge to have a cushion and know that your team has your back and you can go out there and pitch," Eckl said.

Copeland allowed seven hits, three walks, hit two batters and struck out seven in seven innings. Aside from the second inning, she allowed just four hits and two runs.

But the Royals weren't able to capitalize on some scoring chances. They left runners on second and third in the third and fourth innings and runners at the corners to end the game. HSE stranded eight runners.

"We weren't going to quit," Cook said. "But we didn't get it done. We had the bases loaded with no outs (in the seventh) and scored one. We battled, though, and didn't quit."

Carmel's Ranney had two hits and three RBIs, while Combs also had a pair of hits.

Senior left fielder Madi Maloof had three singles and an RBI for the Royals.

In another sectional quarterfinal, Fishers beat Zionsville 8-0.