The Kokomo Post Sports - West Lafayette vs Western Softball Game (Photo Gallery)
The defending Class 3A state champions are one win away from another title.
Western softball rolled past West Lafayette 14-0 in five innings Friday night in the semifinal of the Class 3A Sectional 23 tournament, hosted by Logansport High School. Ranked No. 3 in the state, the Panthers combined a powerful offensive surge with a dominant pitching performance to secure their spot in the sectional championship game.
Western jumped out quickly, scoring three runs in the first inning, four in the second, six in the third, and one more in the fourth to end the game via run rule. Sophomore pitcher Lucy George was in command throughout, tossing a complete-game shutout. She allowed just two hits, struck out 11, and walked one.
Brynley Erb powered the offense, going 2-for-3 with two home runs, three runs scored, and four RBIs. George also delivered at the plate, finishing 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Kylie Miller followed with a perfect 3-for-3 day that included three runs scored and a double. Emma Roe added a double and drove in four runs while going 1-for-3. Jocelyn Jeffers went 2-for-3 and scored twice, and Kayleigh Auth chipped in with a hit and an RBI in her only at-bat.
West Lafayette used two pitchers in the loss. Molly Mansfield pitched the first two innings, allowing seven runs on seven hits while the defense behind her committed four errors. Megan Creech followed with two innings of relief, giving up seven runs on eight hits and striking out three.
Western will face Logansport in the sectional championship. First pitch is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
