Greenwood softball provides sectional win to spring breakout: ‘It’s been actually enjoyable’

TRAFALGAR — The stakes of Monday’s Class 3A Sectional 28 quarterfinal got here as information to a few of the Greenwood softball newcomers.

“A lot of the freshmen didn’t know this is a sectional game and it’s win or go home,” coach Sara Allison mentioned. “They heard that this morning and were like, ‘Oh wait, really?'”

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That might have allowed for a better evening’s sleep for a few of these children, however even after being made conscious sectionals had been formally upon them, the Woodmen had been decidedly unfazed.

They simply went out and did what they’ve carried out many of the season.

Win.

“They’re very loose,” Allison mentioned following the 5-0 win. “Sometimes we have to get them to focus in a little bit more because they’re a little too loose, but they’re just having fun and getting after it each game.”

It’s the primary postseason win since 2017 for Greenwood, which advances to play Shelbyville in Tuesday’s semifinal.

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“This feels great,” sophomore catcher Macie Smith mentioned. “Our energy this morning was pretty hype. We had a team party yesterday and got our energy started there.”

Monday is the most recent bullet level in what’s already been an unforgettable season for Greenwood.

The Woodmen bounced again from a 1-2 begin with a 15-game win streak highlighted by wins over Whiteland, Decatur Central and Tri-West. They stumbled late with a 1-4 stretch earlier this month that included losses to Franklin, Triton Central and Plainfield, however recovered with a 5-0 win over Indian Creek within the Johnson County championship recreation Saturday.

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This is Greenwood’s second successful season prior to now decade (13-12, 2024) and its 19 wins are its most since no less than 2014.

And on the forefront are its 4 freshmen and 5 sophomores.

“From the day they came out, they’ve had this winning mentality,” Allison mentioned. “They’ve had so much success in travel ball, a lot of them have played together and have that camaraderie together. It’s been great to see a little bit of that swagger.”

The Woodmen had solely three upperclassmen of their beginning 9 Monday: Kinsley Clark, Gracelyn Bowles and Isabella Blythe.

Freshman Sara Weasner began rather than sophomore Tessa Hammons (sickness) within the circle, and spun a four-hit shutout, issuing solely two walks and 6 strikeouts. The protection behind her was flawless and the offense scratched throughout its 5 runs between the ultimate two innings. Bowles, a junior, began a three-run sixth with Greenwood’s second hit of the sport.

Sophomore Jordyn Hudson scored her thirty second run of the season and drove in her tenth RBI of the season, and freshman Ava Skinner notched her fortieth RBI with a sacrifice fly within the sixth.

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For the season, Greenwood’s top-seven hitters are underclassmen, together with freshmen Sydni DeCastro and Skinner, who’ve shortly established themselves among the many space’s brightest rising stars. Both are batting above .400, with Skinner tallying 12 homers and 40 RBIs.

“They definitely have faced some battles and they haven’t backed down,” said senior Kinsley Clark, who’s batting .431 with five home runs, 31 RBIs and 25 runs. “They have a good squad to lean on when they need some help and I feel like we do a good job of picking each other up no matter what’s going on. … It’s been really fun. They’ve made it a great last season for me.”

As the workforce cleared out its dugout, focus shifted to the upcoming rematch with Shelbyville (Greenwood received the regular-season assembly, 10-5, on April 20).

“They were kind of like, ‘Alright, next game, when is it, when do I have to be here and what am I wearing?'” Allison laughed.

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“From the first day we knew we were going to have a very successful team, but giving them little wins has been such a phenomenal aspect of this team,” she later added. “They’re really just looking forward to that next game, that next at-bat, that next play.”

Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen. Get IndyStar’s highschool protection despatched on to your inbox with the High School Sports newsletter.

This article initially appeared on Indianapolis Star: IHSAA softball: Greenwood downs Rushville in sectional opener