Class 1A softball sectional takeaways: Rossville, Clinton Central advance

ROSSVILLE, Ind. — Virginia Tech commit Avery Layton's confidence and patience are beginning to rub off on the rest of her teammates.

Facing a program in Tri-County was supposed to be Rossville softball's hardest test of its Class 1A sectional. Only it wasn't.

The Hornets are simply on another level that goes beyond its status as a 1A program.

Layton tossed an immaculate first inning by striking out the Cavaliers on nine pitches for three strikeouts and later drove in a run for Rossville as part of an 11-1 pummeling of its opponents from Wolcott in 5 innings.

"I don't think I've ever done that before," Layton said with a sportive look on her face.

Rossville's path of dominance while led by Layton has seen plenty of contributions from across its lineup.

Sophomore leadoff hitter Finley Gibson finished the evening 2-of-4 with four RBIs while sophomore catcher Gracie McDonald added a walk-off single in the fifth inning and freshman outfielder and pitcher Allie Elliott drew two walks with an RBI single.

"I knew she was going to come inside because I stand really close to the plate so I had to watch the rise ball," Gibson said. "And I knew once it came in the zone to give it a swing.

Tri-County sophomore Maddi Nevitt battled with Rossville for 2 1/3 innings but she issued eight walks and Rossville scored six runs in the fourth inning followed by a 4-run fifth to ice the game.

"I knew (Nevitt) was throwing a rise ball up in the strike zone and (the umpire) wasn't really calling it," Elliott said.

McDonald pumped her fists in the air and the team celebrated but she didn't realize it was a walk-off hit until coaches called her in.

"All these girls put in the work for me to get the position I could to walk it off," McDonald said. "To do that feels good."

Tri-County sees massive growth in four years

Tri-County coach Michael Luck believes his team didn't put together its best game. Nevitt, whose command is almost always on point struggled.

"It wasn't a good game," Luck said. "If we play the game that we typically do, then that score is a one-run game. We don't have that many walks, errors we don't typically have. Softball will do that to you. If you let a team have multiple chances, they are going to make you pay."

But Luck looked at the overall trajectory of his program and saw a team that became better.

The Cavaliers will return leadoff hitter and catcher Bella Dominguez, Nevitt, shortstop Grace Luck and outfielder Lauren Bledsoe.

Tri-County four seasons ago had gone 0-17 and won just three games in 2022. Now the Cavaliers will enter next season as one of the programs to watch in the Lafayette area - regardless of class size.

"As a group, we have really grown together as a group," Coach Luck said. "The desire to get better, the hunger to get better is the real key."

Clinton Central vows for stronger focus after walk-off win over Faith Christian

The mood wasn't quite as festive in the dugout as a walk-off win would normally be in the playoffs.

But that was the case for Clinton Central junior Lynsie Wallsmith who lined a single into right field in the seventh inning to score pinch hitter junior Kylie Riehl to win the game 3-2 in the seventh inning over Faith Christian.

Clinton Central entered Monday's playoffs and had scored Faith Christian previously 11-2.

"Our heads weren't in it," Riehl said who started the seventh with a leadoff single.

"We were just down on ourselves," Wallsmith echoed. "We didn't feel like we were going to fight back and we finally got up. We got the win and we are good now."

Faith Christian senior Izzy Scott reflects on finish to season

Faith Christian senior Izzy Scott made sure her last high school game was worthy of memory.

Scott was stellar after tossing a complete game and allowed two earns in the 3-2 loss to Clinton Central. It was a proud day for Scott whose team came together with key defensive plays after finishing 6-14 in the regular season.

A strikeout, double play was turned in the first inning and kept the adept Bulldogs' offense from finding a rhythm.

"Congratulations to my team, I think they played one of the hardest games of the season," Scott said. "Everyone knew that today could be our last and I think everyone dug in their heels and played for each other."

Scott will continue her softball career at Wheaton College in Massachusetts and study to become an elementary school teacher. Scott was in tears after her season ended, having played her final game in Indiana before heading east.

"I played this game since I was five and knowing that I'm coming off a team that loves me and I love them too is hard," Scott said.

Ethan Hanson is the sports reporter for the Journal & Courier in Lafayette. He can be reached atehanson@gannett.com, on Twitter at EthanAHansonand Instagram at ethan_a_hanson.