Union advances to state finals

MECCA - To the casual observer, the Union Bulldogs' softball team may look like a one girl team in senior Jenna Laxton.

Although Laxton provides the firepower to fuel the Bulldogs, passionate fans of the program know that a total team effort has contributed to the teams success this season.

On Saturday, Union looked to continue its season further and punch a state tournament bound ticket in the process.

With two superb pitching performances from Laxton and solid defensive efforts from the entire team, the Bulldogs advanced to the schools first-ever state semi-final game this Friday at Hamilton Southeastern High School in Fishers after taking the Riverton Parke Regional.

"She (Laxton) did a fine job and I think it was such a team effort," said Union head coach John Scott. "We played wonderful defense. We made the plays when we needed to.

"There was a time or two where we were winning to give up a run or two for an out and they didn't take it and Jenna ended up getting the out."

In Game 1 the Bulldogs played Barr-Reeve and disposed of them 5-1 to advanced to the championship game.

Union took the lead over the Vikings in the second inning 3-0. Brandi McCammon reached on an error, followed by Ashlee Loveage reaching on a fielder's choice and an error on the pitcher allowing Kallie Gambill to reach loading the bases.

Stacey Secrest wanted no company on the base path after her hit, so the best solution was a bases clearing double over the center fielder's head.

Barr-Reeve would tack on one run in the bottom of the second, but the Bulldogs regained the three run advantage with a run in the third before pulling out a run in the sixth for the final tally.

"The whole team played so hard tonight," said Scott. "They were so determined each and every one of them. We made good catches in the outfield. We made good plays everywhere. We did make a few mental mistakes, but we held them down. Jenna got the strike outs when we needed it. The team did so well. This was just a total team effort."

The first regional semi-final game in the morning was Riverton Parke and Tecumseh, with the Braves scoring two runs in the seventh inning over the host Panthers to escape with the win and advancing to the championship.

In the championship game, the Bulldogs did all their damage in the bottom of the first inning and held on throughout the game.

"There are juniors, sophomores, and freshman that give so much to this team," said Scott. "They've all come around the last part of the season. I think it took a little longer for the younger kids but once they worked their butts off this year and the last part of the season they really started to come through."

One area that coach Scott was pleased with was his team's hitting all throughout the line up.

"All the kids are putting the bat on the ball and doing what they need to do to be a team player," he noted. "They're not trying to do too much. We've been working on that. We don't have to hit a home run every time. We need a little base hit or a bunt when we ask for one. We need to be able to execute and they showed it tonight."

For first-year coach Scott, his group of kids have been the best to work with.

"The kids have listened all year long," he said. It's been a pleasure to work with them all. If you can get two or three runs and your team can play good defense, you're going to win most games. I would liked to have two or three more runs because they were starting to put the bat on the ball. They were doing a good job. We were able to hold them down and keep them from scoring."

With the competition in the sectional and regional, Scott feels it will only benefit his team as they continue to advance.

"I really think our sectional and regional had a lot of top rated teams in it. I'm sure the semi-state and state will be just as competitive," Scott said.

Union will take on the Loogootee Lions, who advanced to the semi-finals with a 4-2 win over Lanesville in the Lanesville Regional at 6:30 p.m.

At 8:00, Whiting and Indianapolis Lutheran will face each other with the winners of the two games playing for the Class A title on Saturday at Cherry Tree Softball Complex in Carmel starting at 10:30 a.m.