Indiana is just two games from winning the Junior League Softball World Series after another dramatic extra-inning victory yesterday, 2-1 in eight innings over Southeast Region champ South Carolina. Next up: a rematch with Texas, which topped Indiana 13-5 in pool play on Tuesday.
In the decisive eighth inning, Indiana’s placed runner at second base, Maddie Twincheck, made it to third base when Sophia Boyer pulled off a surprise bunt, which South Carolina mishandled, putting Boyer on first and Twincheck on third. Then Twincheck scored on Samantha Martin’s ground-ball single to third base, a play on which the first baseman injured her shoulder and doubled over in pain. Boyer reached third, and broke for home, beating the throw to the plate to make it 2-0. Boyer was called out but a lengthy video review showed her beating the tag.
Samantha Martin then completed the win, surrendering a run without the ball leaving the infield, when South Carolina’s placed runner advanced on a wild pitch and two grounders.
Ella Worthington threw the first six innings for Indiana, striking out twelve and giving up four hits and two walks. Martin came on in the seventh and got the win. Indiana had five hits, with Worthington collecting two of them, and Martin, Tenley Anderson, and Reese Mahaffey each getting one.
Coach Jenny Brewer says Boyer’s bunt in the eighth inning shows the unselfishness of her players.
Brewer says the girls are eager for another shot at Texas.
Pitching coach Chris Worthington says she tells her pitchers to challenge hitters.
Worthington says the girls don’t seem to be bothered by the stress of playing in the World Series.
Power-hitting Texas beat Italy, 16-2 and in the other half of the bracket, Illinois nipped the Philippines, 5-4 while Puerto Rico knocked off Canada, 11-9.
Indiana and Texas play the first game today, at 4 PM our time, with Illinois and Puerto Rico playing afterward. The championship game is Saturday at 4 PM.
