Southmont softball might be not seeing the success they’ve seen over the last few seasons, but that hasn’t stopped the Mounties from still playing some of their best softball here at the end of the season. South ended their 8-16 year with a win over county rival North Montgomery and one-run losses to both Western Boone and Lebanon. The shift in focus now turns to the post-season as South will host the Class 2A Sectional 44 Tournament.
The Mounties will take on the Parke Heritage Wolves in game two on Monday on their home diamond. Game one will begin at 5 pm between South Vermillion and South Putnam.
Parke Heritage and Southmont were supposed to play during the regular season but the game was canceled to due to rain. The Wolves come in with a record of 12-13 on the season.
“We believe that Parke Heritage is a lot like us in many ways,” Southmont coach Dan Taylor said. “The Wolves are experienced and well-coached. We think our matchup has the makings for an exciting first round game.”
Southmont offensively this season bats .375 as a team. Sophomore Jenna Grino led the way during the regular season with a .493 average and 36 hits along with scoring 31 runs and driving in 19. Kyndale Rice hit .474 and drove in 14, Mallory Mason posted a .460 average and drove in 16 Mounties. Those three leading hitters for the Mounties are all sophomores. Senior catcher Dara Watson provided the power for Southmont by crushing eight home runs this season and driving in 32 runs to go along with batting .438. Fellow senior Chelsea Veatch was second behind Watson with 25 RBI’s and a .386 average.
Defensively is where the have struggled a little bit this season. They’ve committed 96 errors which averages to right at four per game. But as previously mentioned the Mounties are playing a lot better as of late and that’s what Taylor is hanging his hat on.
“We are playing our best softball now. So, we are encouraged,” he said. “The girls are getting more confident at the plate, in the field, and in the circle, and that confidence is leading to much better overall performance. We believe that hosting is an advantage. We are able to play on our own field and eliminate the travel. We have played well at home this season. We are glad to have this opportunity.”
From an offensive standpoint, the Mounties have the advantage over the Wolves as Parke Heritage bats .271 as a team. Taya Sturmer is the leader for the Wolves in a major way. She bats .425 on the season and has hit seven home runs and driven in 32. Gabby Falls hits .414 and leads the team in runs scored with 28. Emma Norman is the wolves go-to pitcher as she holds a 3.89 ERA in 126 innings pitched. She’s struck out 101 but has also walked 84.
The Mounties and Wolves are scheduled to get underway at approximately 7:30 on Monday. North Putnam who drew the bye awaits the winner in Wednesday’s semi-finals.
