FERDINAND — Southmont had hopes of upsetting the defending state champion and No. 1 ranked Tecumseh Braves on Saturday at the IHSAA Forest Park Semi-State. The Braves used an 11-run fourth inning to squelch the Mounties’ dream of advancing in the state tournament. Tecumseh defeated Southmont 12-0.
Tecumseh used the long ball to earn the win. The Braves hit three home runs, including a grand slam and a 2-run homerun in the decisive fourth frame.
Brave pitcher and ace Audrey Seiler was as good as advertised. The sophomore allowed just two hits and struck out 11 and walked four Mounties.
Seiler had a defense behind her that made no errors.
Mountie Coach Dan Taylor was impressed with the Braves.
“Tecumseh is a fantastic team and we played with them for three innings,” Taylor said. “I wish we had been able to stay with them longer.”
Brave outfielder Adley Staples started the scoring in the top of the second inning. The freshman hit a two-out home run over the left field fence to put her team up 1-0.
Southmont had an opportunity to score in the bottom of the third inning when Southmont’s Kaylee Turner recorded the Mountie’s first hit, a single to centerfield.
A 2-out walk to Ella Barry placed runners on first and second base but a Mountie strikeout finished the inning.
After Mountie pitcher Barry recorded three strikeouts in the top of the third frame
The top of the fourth inning doomed the Mounties. Tecumseh sent 15 batters to the plate. The Braves scored 11 runs with 10 hits to take a 11-0 lead
Brave junior Avery Long hit a grand slam in the inning followed by a 2-run homer by Staples.
When the dust finally settled the Mounties were facing a 12-0 deficit and needed to score three runs in the next two innings to stay away from the 10-run rule after five innings.
Mountie freshman catcher Emily Simpson started the bottom of the fourth with a double to right centerfield but was stranded when the next three Mounties struck out.
In the final fifth inning, the Mounties stranded two runners but Southmont could not get a run across the plate and the Braves started celebrating.
Southmont pitching gave up 12 runs on 11 hits. Ace Barry pitched 3.2 innings and surrendered seven hits and nine runs while striking out six.
In Saturday’s semi-state championship game, Tecumseh defeated Eastern Hancock 14-0 to send the Braves back to the state finals.
The Braves’ opponent will be Monon Athletic Conference’s Western Boone. The Stars defeated Central Noble 6-3 in the early game on Saturday at the Kokomo Semi-State. The Stars beat Andrean 8-6 in the championship game. The state finals will be played Saturday at Purdue University.
The Mounties finish the season 19-6 which is considered a success since this was a “re-building” year, according to Southmont coaches.
Southmont will say goodbye to five seniors. The seniors are Koli Murphy, Neveah Ward, McKenna Shelton, Kenzie Douglas and Kendall Priebe.
Coach Taylor was reflective after the game as he praised his team.
“It was the end of a great season,” Taylor said. “I am so proud of all that the girls were able to accomplish this year.”
