The Press-Dispatch
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B-4 The Press-Dispatch Wednesday, April 17, 2013 Middle School boys and girls track wins Lauren Morton takes a big swing at the softball during a recent home game. She had a couple of key hits and walks, in games this past week as the Lady Chargers beat Tecumseh and lost to Heritage Hills. PC drops ranked Tecumseh By Mike Johansen Before rain claimed two games, the Pike Central Lady Chargers took on the Tecumseh Lady Braves and came away with a convincing 5-2 win over the Class 1A No. 2 ranked Lady Braves April 9, and came within one home run of beating Class 3A No. 7 ranked Heritage Hills when they got back into action on Monday. The Lady Chargers met last year's Pocket Athletic Conference champion and Semistate qualifier, with their star pitcher, on the road and brought home the win. PC is 2-1 overall and 1-0 in the PAC. "I was really proud of the way we played and for the girls to beat Tecumseh. Their pitcher is one of the best in the area. When Steph (Stephanie Richardson) hit that home run, that really sparked the team and we stepped forward to score some good runs. She really provided the spark we needed to get going on offense. The defense was outstanding the entire game. Everyone did their part," said Head Coach Rick Weisman. "When some girls are not hitting, others are stepping forward and providing the hitting spark we need. Not everyone can do something every night at the plate, it is great when we have different girls stepping up each game and helping in various ways. The JV girls helped from the bench. They don't get as many games, as we are a little down in numbers and are playing only a few JV games this season. They are providing a lot of help from the bench and spark for the girls on the field. They are an important part of this team. This was a big win for the team, as we beat one of the best teams in the league and were able to get good hits off one of the best pitchers. I am really pleased with how the girls are progressing and how hard they play each game. They have really come together and are playing hard and with enthusiasm. "I am encouraged by this team and their work ethic. When they had the chance, they did not want to take a night off, they went inside to hit and work on what they could, instead of going home to rest. They just keep working hard and have not taken a day off, they are a very dedicated group," added the coach. Richardson was the winning pitcher for the Lady Chargers, with Lauren Morton, the catcher, against Tecumseh. She gave up two runs on seven hits, one error and struck out 10. The Lady Chargers never let the Lady Braves have the lead and kept them having to try to come from behind from the third inning on. Morton walked with two out in the opening inning and went to third on a single by Samantha Halbrader, but an Sports Week Day Thurs. Sat. Mon. Thurs. Date April 18 April 20 April 22 April 25 PCHS Baseball Opponent South Knox Tell City* Princeton Southridge* PlaceTime H 5:00 H 11:00a A 6:00 A 7:00 PCHS Boys Golf Thurs. April 18 North Knox A Mon. April 22 South Spencer H Tues. April 23 Forest Park H Mon. April 29 Wood Memorial A *—All home Meets at Prides Creek Golf Course Thurs. Mon. Wed. Thurs. April 18 April 22 April 24 April 25 PCHS Softball Wood Memorial Boonville Washington Southridge* PCHS Girls Track Thurs. April 18 PC Relays Mon. April 22 Washington Wed. April 24 Evansville Bosse Mon. April 29 Pioneer Relays at Boonville PCHS Boys Track Thurs. April 18 Southridge Invite Wed. April 24 Princeton Invite Tues. April 30 Pioneer Relays at Boonville Wed. April 17 Thurs. April 18 Tues. April 23 Wed. April 24 Thurs. April 25 Mon. Fri. Sat. Tues. April 22 April 26 April 27 April 30 6:30 6:00 6:00 5:30 H H A A 6:00 5:00 6:00 6:00 A A A PCMS Baseball Southridge Washington North Daviess Tell City Heritage Hills singles and a walk. They took on Class 3A No. 7 ranked Heritage Hills Monday, a Sectional opponent, and was one hit away from a win, but that hit was a three-run home run by Abby Fischer. The Lady Patriots twice had two runners on base during the first four innings, but did not score. Lauren Morton had a first inning double, but was left on second. Taylor Stuessel had a second inning double and made it to third on a fielders choice. But the next three batters went down to leave her on base. Presley Bryant started the third inning with a single and was advanced around to third. Morton walked, but a ground out ended the scoring chance. The fourth inning for PC was different. With no one out, Ashli Riley doubled and scored on a single by Emma Crow. Olivia Whann singled and scored a run and she was followed by an RBI single by Bryant. Morton walked and Halbrader singled in another couple of runs as PC took a 5-0 lead. The Patriots came back with four runs in the top of the fifth on two walks, a hit batter, a single and two consecutive doubles, before a ground out ended the inning with PC on top by one. The Lady Patriots struck again in the top of the seventh, with two errors leaving two girls on base. The third batter, Fisher, cleared the bases with a home run, putting Heritage Hills on top 7-5. Stuessel started the bottom of the seventh smacking a single to get the comeback try going. She scored on a grounder by Crow. But the threat was stopped with one base runner on the ground out and two strike outs. Stuessel had a triple and a double in the game and scored a run; Morton a double and three walks; Richardson a walk and a run scored; Bryant two singles and a run scored; Halbrader two singles; Abbott a walk; Riley a double and a run scored; Crow a single and a run; and Whann a single and a run. Richardson was the pitcher, allowing seven runs on five hits and no errors, five walks, three batters hit by a pitch and four strike outs. took in the high jump. The 400 meter relay took first with Brooke Nalley, Taylor Deffendoll, Miki Feldpausch and Erika Hendrickson running. The 1600 meter relay also took first with Brooke Nalley, Kaitlyn Foster, Autumn Pancake and Bri Schaller running. The boys finished second in the meet, with North Posey having 58 points, Pike Central 56 and Tecumseh 19. Some highlights include Travis Norrington breaking the seventh grade shot put record with a throw of 35 feet 1/2 inch. Jared McCord and Zach Pancake took first and second in high jump. Silas Goff, Ty Bryant and Travis Norrington took first, second and third in the discus. Jared McCord won the 110 Hurdles and Torren Shover won the 400 meter dash. The 1600 meter relay team consisting of Jalen Owens, Torren Shover, Tyler Divine and Jared McCord also took first. Changes being made in butterfly High school swimmers in the breaststroke event will now be permitted to execute a single butterfly kick on the start or turn at any time prior to the first breaststroke kick, according to the National Federation of High Schools. "It was extremely difficult for officials to observe and consistently judge the initiation of the arm stroke on the start and turns," said Becky Oakes, NFHS director of sports and staff liaison to the Swimming and Diving Rules Committee. "The committee wanted to provide consistency for the swimmers as to when the butterfly kick is permitted and the observation by the officials across all lanes for a legal or illegal use of the butterfly kick. Swimmers may now use the butterfly kick in the location that best benefits the individual swimmer before the breaststroke kick." This change and five other rules revisions were approved by the National Federation of State High School Association (NFHS) Swimming and Diving Rules Committee at its March 2426 meeting in Indianapolis. All rules changes were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors. As new construction and modifications to facilities occur, the committee altered Rule 2-7-2b to allow the installation of new track-style starting blocks with wedges. In another change, competitors will no longer be asked to step down from the starting platform if an illegal suit is discovered. The race will be conducted and the swimmer in violation shall be disqualified at the conclusion of the heat. "Having swimmers step down from the platform prior to the start of a race is not the most desired way to enforce a penalty," Oakes said. "It is awkward for the swimmers to get up and down from the platform, and it may disrupt the focus of the other swimmers who are within the rules." In keeping up with technology, the committee voted to add a section concerning electronic devices. Rule 3-5 allows team personnel to use electronic devices to transmit or record information about a competitor's performance. The rule does not allow for devices to be used as a form of communication with a competitor while he or she is swimming or diving. "It addresses the advances we have seen in technology," Oakes said. "The technology, if used properly, can be a good coaching aide." The lone change made to the diving section of the rules book was the addition of Rule 9-7-4e, which clarifies straight-body position for the flying somersault dives (1 and 1½). Swimming/diving is the eighth-most popular sport for girls and 10th among boys at the high school level. According to the 2011-12 High School Athletics Participation Survey, 160,456 girls were involved in swimming/diving and 133,823 boys participate in the sport. Free fishing day June 2 In years past, we as Indiana residents enjoyed one weekend of free fishing and family-friendly fishing events. This year, we have four days of free fishing! Normally, youth (age 17 and younger) and a few other special anglers are exempt from purchasing a fishing license; however, during 2013 Free Fishing Days (April 20, May 18, and June 1-2), all Indiana residents do not need a fishing license or a trout/salmon stamp to fish Indiana's public waters. Don't know where to fish? You may not have to travel far. The new Go FishIN in the City program is providing quality fishing opportunities and education events at several city park ponds across the state. You could also check out the amazing Where to Fish interactive map orr view property information for other DNR properties. 6:30 6:00 6:00 Southridge* H South Knox A at Vincennes University Courts Heritage Hills* A Washington Catholic H Gibson Southern* A PCMS Girls Softball Thurs. April 18 Fri. April 19 Mon. April 22 Wed. April 24 Thurs. April 25 H H H A PCHS Girls Tennis Loogootee Washington Sullivan North Knox East 4:30 5:30 4:30 5:30 unassisted out by the second baseman on a ground ball ended the threat. Tecumseh had a player hit by a pitch in the opening inning, but a pop to second baseman Halbrader and two strike outs ended with the runner left on first. Presley Bryant had a two out single in the second, but was left on first. The Lady Braves had a walk and a hit in their half of the inning, but the runners were left standing by a strike out. The third inning for Pike Central started in a big way, with Richardson nailing the softball and sending it over the outfield fence for a home run. Alyx Abbott was safe on an error by the shortstop on the next at bat and Morton walked. Singles by Emma Crow and Taylor Stuessel sent the other two runs scurrying home. Only a close play at third, with a runner trying to advance, stopped the onslaught at 3-0 PC. Tecumseh came up with one run in the bottom of the fourth frame on a walk, advancing on a fielders choice and a stolen base and the score came on an error. Tecumseh loaded the bases in the top of the fifth, but again a strike out by Richardson gave the Lady Chargers the needed stop. Pike Central was quiet in the fourth and fifth frames. They had a runner walk and advance to third in the sixth frame, but she was left on base. Tecumseh went down in order in the sixth. In the top of the seventh, Richardson opened the PC at bat with a walk. An out later, Morton singled her to third and she scored on an error that left Halbrader safe on base. Olivia Whann hit a grounder that scored the second run on a sacrifice play. The Lady Braves tried to rally in the bottom of the seventh with a single, a walk and a run scoring single. But an out by Halbrader, a strike out and a ball hit back to Richardson thrown to Bryant at first ended the game, with PC winning by three runs. For the game, Richardson had a home run and two walks, scoring twice; Abbott scored a run; Morton scored twice on two walks and a hit; Halbrader had a hit; Whann a walk and an RBI; Crow a single and an RBI; Stuessel a single and Bryant two By Mike Johansen The Pike Central Middle School boys' and girls' track teams began their season against Tecumseh and North Posey on April 9, with the boys finishing second and the girls winning the three way meet. The Lady Chargers scored 80 points, North Posey 40, and the Tecumseh Lady Braves 16. On the girls' side, Erika Hendrickson took first in the 60 meter dash. The girls' distance runners took first, second, third and fourth in both the 1,600 meter run and the 800. Abby Hillyard was first, Meredith Benson second, Hannah Mills third and Sydney Fair fourth in the 1,600. Taking first in the 800 was Abby Hillyard, with Lillie Pancake second, Meredith Benson third and Sydney Fair fourth. Ashley Harris took first in the discus. Brooke Nalley and Ericka Hendrickson took first and second in the 400 dash. Brooke Nalley was first, Bri Schaller second, and Hannah Mills third 4:30 5:00 5:30 4:30 5:30 A A H H 6:00 6:00 12:00 6:00 H A H A A 5:30 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:00 PCMS Boys and Girls Track Tues. April 23 Washington A 4:45 Thurs. April 25 Dubois A 5:00 Mon. April 29 South Spencer A 6:00 (Wood Memorial) NOTE—Schedules for Pike Central Middle School girls tennis and golf are not available. Alyx Abbott scampers back into third base ahead of a throw after she advanced following a hit in the North Daviess game.