By Mike McGraw
Executive Director
INDIANAPOLIS – It has to be frustrating to play against Center Grove. The Class 4A fourth-ranked Trojans don’t appear overpowering offensively, and their pitching is not completely unhittable.
No, the problem for opponents is that the Trojans simply do so many things right. All that fundamental soundness led Center Grove (33-3) to a record fifth state softball title June 13 in a 2-0 state championship victory over No. 15 Harrison (West Lafayette).
Harrison had a couple of opportunities to do damage against Trojan senior starter Sarah Franklin. However, every time the Raiders (25-8) put solid wood – or metal, in this case – on the ball, Center Grove made the defensive plays necessary.
That sturdy defense, particularly in the infield, kept the game scoreless into the bottom of the third inning. It was then Center Grove exhibited another of those fundamental traits. This one was called “when you get scoring chances, take advantage of them.”
Center Grove scored twice on an RBI double from senior catcher Sydney Miller and a run-scoring single from senior third baseman Emily Gwaltney. It was the only serious threat the Trojans, who finished with six hits to just one for Harrison, mounted all day against Raiders hurlers senior Morgan Stephens (14-6) and junior Brooke Jordan.
It was also all they would need.
In normal fashion, Gwaltney replaced Franklin (15-2) on the mound in the later innings and continued to stymie the Raider offense. Coach Russ Milligan has used the same tactic all year long. Whenever the opponent begins to bat through the order for the third time, Milligan swaps out 5’10” hurlers between Gwaltney and Franklin.
It has been perhaps the most lethal weapon in the Trojan arsenal.
After the game, Hoosier Authority spoke with the pitching duo about the unique arrangement.
Floyd Central’s Mills named Mental Attitude Award winner
Brittany Mills of Floyd Central was recognized by members of the IHSAA Executive Committee as this year’s recipient of the Mental Attitude Award in Class 4A softball. Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, the corporate partner of the IHSAA, presented a $1,000 scholarship to the school in her name.
Mills, who carried a 4.0 GPA, is the valedictorian of her senior class and scored an impressive 2000 on her SAT. She is a member of the National Honor Society, S.T.A.N.D Club, Interact Club, and Spanish Club treasurer. Brittany is a National Achievement Finalist, recipient of the Prominence Scholarship, and the Presidential Scholarship Award.
She also spends her time volunteering with the New Albany Housing Authority and Goodwill.
Brittany has excelled athletically in the sport of softball, having been named this year to the Academic All-State first team, I.C.G.S.A All-District, and second-year All-Conference.
In the fall, the daughter of Houston Mills plans to attend Ohio State University to study Economics.
The box score:
Harrison (West Lafayette) 0 (25-8)
Player AB R H RBI BB SO PO A LOB
Courtney, Ashley c……. 3 0 0 0 0 1 3 1 0
Garrett, Jordyn lf……. 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Jordan, Brooke 1b/p…… 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0
Stephens, Morgan p/1b…. 2 0 1 0 1 1 4 1 0
Storms, Kala pr……… 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mitchell, Megan ss……. 2 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0
Spitznagle, Jaden 2b….. 3 0 0 0 0 1 3 1 1
DeBoy, Jordan rf……… 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Spitznagle, Molly dp….. 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2
Baker, Haley cf………. 2 0 0 0 0 1 3 0 0
Huston, Megan 3b/ph…… 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 0
Totals………………. 21 0 1 0 2 6 18 6 3
Center Grove 2 (33-3)
Player AB R H RBI BB SO PO A LOB
Alberico, Sarah 2b……. 3 1 2 0 0 0 4 1 0
Miller, Sydney c……… 2 0 1 1 1 1 6 0 1
Miller, Shelby pr……. 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Prince, Liz 1b……….. 2 0 0 0 1 0 6 0 0
Gwaltney, Emily 3b/p….. 3 0 1 1 0 0 0 4 0
Lamar, Brooklyn pr…… 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Music, Shelby lf……… 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
Belsite, Katherine rf…. 3 0 2 0 0 0 2 0 0
Shaner, Brittany dp/3b… 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2
Williams, Kelsey cf…… 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Elsey, Amber ss………. 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 2 2
Franklin, Sarah p/dp….. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
Totals………………. 23 2 6 2 2 2 21 9 7
Score by innings R H E
Harrison (WL) 000 000 0 – 0 1 0
Center Grove 002 000 X – 2 6 1
E: Elsey, A. (1). DP: Center Grove 1. LOB: Harrison 3, Center Grove 7. 2B: Alberico, S. (8); Miller, Sy. (10). HBP: Shaner, B. SH: DeBoy, J. (1); Williams, K. (1).
Harrison (W. Laf.) IP H R ER BB SO AB BF
Stephens, Morgan 2.1 4 2 2 2 0 11 13
Jordan, Brooke 3.2 2 0 0 0 2 12 14
Center Grove IP H R ER BB SO AB BF
Franklin, Sarah 5.0 1 0 0 1 1 15 17
Gwaltney, Emily 2.0 0 0 0 1 5 6 7
Win: Franklin, S. (15-2). Loss: Stephens, M. (14-6). Save: Gwaltney, E. (2).
WP: Stephens, M. (1). HBP: by Jordan, B. (Shaner, B.).
Umpires: HP Daren Maierle, 1B Joe Reed, 3B Tim Cooper
Start: 7:30 p.m. Time: 1:25
Weather: 76, partly cloudy, slight wind in from center
Processing your request, Please wait....
