PREVIEW: Softball set for No.11 Franklin Central, Plainfield, South Dearborn this week
By Keelen Barlow
No.13 Brownsburg (11-5, 3-1 in Hoosier Crossroads Conference) takes a two-game win streak into a pair of games this week. The Bulldogs travel to No.11 Franklin Central tomorrow for an HCC contest and host Plainfield Thursday for Senior Night. Brownsburg hosts South Dearborn Saturday for a 12 PM first pitch.
Last week at a glance
The Bulldogs responded to a 6-2 loss to Avon last Tuesday with a pair of 13-0 run-rule victories over McCutcheon and No.20 Hamilton Southeastern.
Brownsburg traveled to take on the Mavericks Friday and poured 17 hits on McCutcheon to get the win. Kelsey Endress hit a solo home run and threw 4.0 scoreless innings in the circle. Freshman Hailey Thompson was 3-for-3 Friday in her first appearance in the lineup.
The Bulldogs ran past HSE on the second half of the back-to-back with another 13-0 win. Endress started again in the circle and struck out 9 batters. She and sophomore Addy Neal combined to no-hit the Royals over five innings. Kaylee Larkin and Olivia Calero homered in the win over HSE.
IHSAA Sectional Draw
The 2021 IHSAA Softball Sectional draw was released Sunday during the 2021 IHSAA Softball Sectional pairings show. The Bulldogs will travel to Terre Haute South for IHSAA Sectional 12 where Brownsburg is set for a rematch with Avon May 24 at 6 PM.
The Brownsburg/Avon winner will advance to play Decatur Central or Plainfield in the IHSAA Sectional Semi-final. Terre Haute North and Terre Haute South received a bye and will play in the other Sectional Semi-final.
Bulldog Bits
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The Bulldogs outscored McCutcheon and Hamilton Southeastern 26-0 over two games and limited the teams to a total of two hits
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Endress has averaged 10.0 strikeouts over her last six outings, the most for any HCC pitcher dating back to April 20
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Brownsburg is 10-2 this season when the Bulldogs hit at least one home run. The Bulldogs have yet to lose when they hit multiple home runs in a game
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Endress held opposing batters to a .161 batting average over 15.0 innings in the circle last week
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Tuesday's matchup is between the top-two home run hitting teams in the HCC. Franklin Central's 24 homers leads the conference while the Bulldogs are close behind with 23 home runs this year
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Neal has a team-leading .688 batting average dating back to April 23 and brings a six-game hitting streak into this week
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Kiersten Huff's seven-game hitting streak is the longest-active hitting streak for the Bulldogs
About the Opponents
The Flashes (11-5, 3-0 in HCC) are the lone team still unbeaten in HCC play this year. Franklin Central defeated Zionsville 15-2 and fell to No.1 Roncalli 10-1 in play last week.
Jocelyn Newman has a 1.92 ERA (2nd in HCC) and 107 strikeouts (Leads HCC) in 58.1 innings in the circle. Olivia Colip is tied for second in the HCC with 7 home runs with a .480 batting average this year (11th in HCC)
Plainfield (5-11, 2-5 in Mid-State) is led by senior Jocelyn Calvin who has a .462 batting average this year. South Deaborn is 6-5 heading into this week and 1-2 in the Eastern Indiana Conference.
Up Next
The Bulldogs travel to Lawrence North May 10 for an away contest with the Wildcats.
