By Fred Solis
The Hutchinson Tribune
ANDALE—The Andale-Garden Plain Indians softball team ended the regular season on a six-game win streak after sweeping Pratt 4-1 and 13-3 last Thursday, giving them a 17-5 record to go along with their share of the AVCTL-IV league title with Clearwater.
The Greenbacks broke out on top first in Game 1 with an RBI-single in the top of the third, but Andale-Garden Plain evened the score with a sac fly to center by senior Bella Cates that scored Elsa Johnson, the team’s other senior, in the home half of the inning.
The Indians added another run in the fourth on Rose Molitor’s sac fly to left that drove in Coti Hiner to go ahead 2-1. Andale-Garden Plain pitcher Ryin Gibbens, who went the distance, checked Pratt on three hits while the Indian’s defense had her back with double plays in the fifth and sixth innings on fly balls that doubled up Greenback baserunners.
The Indians picked up two more runs in the sixth on Molitor’s home run that cleared center field with Emily Eck aboard for the 4-1 win.
In Game 2, the two teams matched runs in the first inning with two apiece. But the Indians broke the game open in the second with five runs to a 7-2 lead. After two scoreless innings, the Greenbacks got a run in the fourth, their last of the game.
Andale-Garden Plain responded with four runs in their at-bat to push their advantage to 11-3, and added two more runs in the sixth to end the game with a 13-3 run rule. Clare Krier handled the pitching duties for the Indians.
“Winning Game 1 gave us confidence and reinforced that we had the ability to beat them, which gave us the edge in Game 2,” said Indians Coach Erin Carney.
“Winning six straight has helped us find our groove and put us in position to hit our stride at the right time. Our team is working hard to stay focused on what matters most right now and is ready to attack each game from here on out,” she added.
The Indians advance to the 4A regional tournament this week as the No. 3 seed and take on No. 14 Rose Hill (7-17). Also at Andale, No. 6 Pratt (18-8) plays No. 11 Clay Center Community/Wakefield (12-12).
Other hosts, seedings, records and matchups are listed below.
At Clearwater: No. 1 Clearwater (22-4) vs. No. 16 Abilene (5-19); and No. 8 Mulvane (15-11) vs. No. 9 Hoisington-Claflin Central Plains (14-11).
At McPherson: No. 4 seed McPherson (19-7) vs. No. 13 Hugoton High School (7-15); and No. 5 Circle (18-8) vs. No. 12 Larned (10-16).
At Chapman: No. 2 Chapman (21-5) vs. No. 15 Ulysses (7-17); and No. 7 Augusta (14-10) vs No. 10 Buhler (13-13).