The Kokomo Post Sports - Yorktown vs Western Softball Game (Photo Gallery)
Defending Class 3A state champion Western is moving on. The No. 3 Lady Panthers shut out No. 6 Yorktown 2-0 on Tuesday night to claim the Class 3A Regional 12 title and advance to the North Semistate semifinal in the 2025 IHSAA softball tournament.
Western’s postseason dominance continued with its fourth straight shutout. Sophomore Lucy George was dominant in the circle, tossing a complete-game two-hitter with 11 strikeouts and two walks.
Brynley Erb opened the scoring in the third inning on an RBI single by George. Rylynn Gibbs added a run in the fourth, coming home on Kamryn Garber’s RBI single. Gibbs led the offense with two of Western’s three hits. The Panthers committed one error, matching Yorktown’s total.
Yorktown freshman Olivia Jones delivered a strong effort in the loss, going the distance while allowing three hits, two earned runs, seven walks and striking out 12.
Next up, Western will face Mississinewa in the North Semistate semifinal at Twin Lakes. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. Hanover Central and Columbia City will meet in the other semifinal at 11 a.m. The winners will play in the semistate championship game at 7 p.m., with a trip to the Class 3A state final on the line.
Western continues its quest to repeat as state champions with momentum and a defense that hasn’t broken once this postseason.
