4 takeaways from Rossville and Carroll softball's pitching duel in rivalry showdown

ROSSVILLE, Ind. — Two of the Lafayette area's competitive small school high school softball programs Carroll and Rossville engaged in a tight battle on Thursday that set the tone for what could play out in the IHSAA postseason later this month.

Rossville pitcher Allie Elliott and Carroll pitcher Charlotte Kingery engaged in a duel from the circle, but it was Hornets pitcher Avery Layton who proved to be the difference. Layton pitched two innings in relief of Layton and struck out six while adding an RBI double in the fourth inning to help Rossville outlast Carroll 2-1.

Here are four takeaways from Carroll and Rossville as both programs move closer to the sectional playoffs.

How good is Rossville's Avery Layton?

Layton, who is signed to Virginia Tech, once again proved why she's one of the best players in the area regardless of school size.

Having command of her fastball, curveball, change and riser allowed her to manipulate the strike zone and leave Carroll hitters baffled. She was sent to pitch in a one-run ball game and commanded the strike zone with ease.

Six batters up, six batters down — all via strikeout. Add an RBI double to a season in which Layton has hit .447 with five home runs, and that's dominance across the board. Rossville won its first sectional title in 2022 and hasn't slowed since.

Charlotte Kingery helps Carroll find its pitching identity

Carroll has carried plenty of ups and downs during the season, including trying to find consistency in the circle.

Now the Cougars are more at ease with the freshman pumping strikes and using her change-up to keep hitters off balance. Kingery held her own given the arsenal of senior hitters she faced from Rossville.

Lili Jackson provides energy boost and cannon arm for the Cougars

Jackson, a senior 5-foot-4 outfielder, proved she can impact the games in more ways than one.

Jackson hit five foul balls with two strikes before slicing a fifth-inning single into left center. Jackson's aggressiveness on the basepaths allowed her team to score her program's only run before saving a run with an outfield assist in the bottom half of the inning.

Carroll's defense stalled the increased momentum Rossville gained with its five hits.

Rossville's pitching depth with Allie Elliott is vital to a postseason run

Rossville made an extended postseason run last season by making it to the IHSAA semistate semifinals. The base of its run was predicated on the success of Elliott and Layton.

Elliott's improved command allowed her to pitch five innings and allow just two hits with eight strikeouts. With Elliott and Layton rotating in and out of the circle, it should be more than enough for Rossville looking to win its third straight sectional title.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: 4 takeaways from Rossville and Carroll softball's pitching duel in rivalry showdown