Howard County Softball Teams Ready for Sectional Battles
Sectionals have arrived, and over the next few weeks, softball teams across Indiana will compete for a chance to bring home an IHSAA state championship.
The hours of practice, long bus rides, and tough regular-season games have all led to this moment. It's win or go home — and every pitch, swing, and play matters.
Let’s take a look at the sectional matchups involving Howard County schools and offer some predictions for how things might shake out.
Sectional 7
Host: Harrison (West Lafayette)
This sectional features a competitive field with Kokomo (15-10), Lafayette Jefferson (14-10),
McCutcheon (11-14), and host Harrison (8-12) all in the mix.
Kokomo enters as one of the favorites and has the talent to make a deep postseason run. Lafayette
Jeff brings a solid record and could pose a serious challenge. McCutcheon has shown flashes of
strong play, while Harrison, despite a tough season, will look to defend home field and draw on its
postseason experience.
This bracket has the potential for surprises — and whichever team gets hot at the right time could walk away with the trophy.
Predicted Results
Semifinals: Kokomo beats Lafayette Jefferson
Semifinals: Harrison beats McCutcheon
Sectional Championship: Kokomo beats Harrison
3A Sectional 23
Host: Logansport
Sectional 23 features a deep and competitive field, headlined by defending 3A state champion and
third-ranked Western (23-3), which enters as the favorite to repeat. Nearby rival Northwestern
(10-14) will look to build momentum and pull off a surprise in what could be a wide-open bracket.
Host Logansport (22-4) has had a standout regular season and will try to ride home-field advantage
to a sectional title. West Lafayette (12-10) and Peru (10-9) bring winning records and enough
firepower to make things interesting. Twin Lakes (11-17) and Maconaquah (5-14) round out the field
as underdogs looking to shake things up.
With a defending champion, a ranked contender, and several teams capable of making a run,
Sectional 23 promises high-stakes action and plenty of postseason drama.
Predicted Results
First Round
Western beats Twin Lakes
Peru beats Maconaquah
Logansport beats Northwestern
Semifinals
Western beats West Lafayette
Logansport beats Peru
Sectional Championship
Western beats Logansport
2A Sectional 38
Host: Oak Hill
Sectional 38 features a tightly contested field that includes Eastern (Greentown) (4-23), Lewis
Cass (8-11), Manchester (12-14), Oak Hill (18-6), Rochester Community (18-4), and Wabash (9-
12).
Eastern (Greentown) earned a first-round bye and will look to regroup after a difficult regular
season. Rochester Community, also on a bye, enters with an impressive 18-4 record and could pose
a serious threat in the later rounds.
Oak Hill, boasting the best record among non-bye teams, enters as the sectional favorite and is
aiming to build on a strong season with a deep postseason run. Lewis Cass and Manchester are
looking to play the role of dark horse, while Wabash hopes to spring an early upset.
With a mix of state-tested contenders and teams eager to make a run, Sectional 38 is shaping up to
deliver a thrilling week of softball.
Predicted Results
First Round
Manchester beats Wabash
Oak Hill beats Lewis Cass
Semifinals
Manchester beats Eastern (Greentown)
Oak Hill beats Rochester Community
Sectional Championship
Oak Hill beats Manchester
2A Sectional 39
Host: Elwood Community
Sectional 39 features five teams: Taylor (0-17), Elwood Community (7-17), Frankton (13-8), Class 2A No. 4 Lapel (19-6), and Tipton (6-17).
Taylor enters the sectional still searching for its first win and will look to use the postseason as a valuable learning experience. Elwood Community, originally set to face Sheridan in the opening round, advanced after Sheridan withdrew from the state tournament. Now, the host Panthers aim to ride that momentum into a potential postseason run.
Frankton and Lapel come in as the most consistent programs in the bracket, with Lapel ranked No. 4 in Class 2A and considered a favorite to claim the title. Tipton rounds out the field, hoping to play spoiler and gain traction at the right time.
While team records vary widely, the mix of strong contenders and local pride promises an exciting and unpredictable week of softball.
Predicted Results
First Round
Lapel beats Frankton
Semifinals
Lapel beats Taylor
Elwood Community beats Tipton
Sectional Championship
Lapel beats Elwood Community
As sectional play kicks off across the state, local teams are set to leave it all on the field in pursuit of a state championship. With strong contenders, potential upsets, and plenty of thrilling softball ahead, the postseason is shaping up to deliver memorable moments.
Stay tuned to The Kokomo Post for updates and coverage as these sectionals unfold — the road to the IHSAA state title is officially underway.
