Katie Schneider
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Ind. – Just a few days after the Northeastern softball team won the first sectional title in school history, the Knights have added to that accomplishment.
Fourth-ranked Northeastern defeated No. 9 Eastern Hancock 10-0 on Tuesday to claim the initial regional crown for the Knights.
“It was a great win and I couldn’t be more proud of my girls,” Northeastern Head Coach Mike Smith said. “It was the best game we have played all year both offensively and defensively.”
With the win, the Knights (22-5) advance to meet seventh-ranked Henryville (22-6) in the Class 2A semistate at Forest Park on Saturday at 1 p.m. No. 6 Indianapolis Scecina (23-4) and No. 15 South Spencer (18-7) open the event at 11 a.m. The championship game is at 7 p.m.
Katie Schneider pitched a three-hitter for the Knights as she had 13 strike outs in blanking the Royals (20-7).
“Katie dominated from the mound,” Smith said. “We hit the ball hard from top to bottom of our lineup. When you have a great pitcher and good hitting you know you going to be competitive.”
Offensively, Sierra Gilmore led the Knights with four hits, including her 17th home run of the season.
Schneider hit her eighth home run of the year, which put the Knights up 2-0 early in the contest.
“I thought Katie Schneider’s two-run homer in the first gave us the confidence we could bring home the title,” Smith said.
The long ball parade continued as Katlyn Williams also hit one.
Chaise Helton had three hits and drove in three runs, while Leah Hoskins had three hits. Mikayla Hornung had two RBI.