Center Grove softball turns on the jets, defeats Brownsburg in 4A regional championship

GREENWOOD - For two innings, the Center Grove softball offense was quiet in Tuesday's Class 4A regional championship against Brownsburg.

>Then, the bats got hot.

>The Trojans put together 12 runs over the next three innings, defeating the Bulldogs 12-2 in five innings. Coach Alyssa Coleman talked about it last week in Center Grove's sectional championship victory over Mooresville, and kept it simple again postgame.

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>"We know where it's going, hit it hard," Coleman said.

>Brownsburg started off strong, getting the game's first two batters on base with a pair of singles. But, with runners on first and second, it was Callie Johnson who turned an impressive double play to keep Brownsburg off the board. For the Trojans, the bottom of the first inning was similar as they were held scoreless keeping the game knotted at zero after one.

>The trend remained similar in the second inning as it remained 0-0. Key plays such as Kiersten Hardin's grab just feet short of the fence and Brownsburg's impressive team defense kept it even through two.

>Then, everything changed.

>Just moments after the Trojans made a change at the mound, a Gracie Berkholz bunt forces an errant throw, bringing in two Bulldog runners and giving an early 2-0 lead to Brownsburg.

>When Center Grove stepped to the plate, the bats continued to make noise. Addison Wolff got on base with a deep triple, before Taylor Barrett brought her home with a double of her own during the Trojans' next at bat.

>Through three innings it was 2-1 Brownsburg, but Center Grove was on a mission to change the scene at Russ Milligan Field.

>After Brownsburg tallied just one single in the fourth, Center Grove started with two consecutive hits and evened the score 2-2. The Trojans then proceeded to score three more runs off of a Brownsburg error, and another Taylor Barrett hit, this time a line drive to left field.

>The momentum flipped. Center Grove took a 5-2 lead after four innings.

>In the fifth, it was all Trojans. Center Grove closed out the final inning with five hits: triples by Ava Krupa and Kiersten Hardin, singles from Brooklyn Widegren and Taylor Barrett, and a double from Krupa.

>The Trojans finished the night going 12-for-25 at the plate, with an impressive seven batters getting at least one hit.

>Now, Center Grove will continue their playoff run on Saturday, when they matchup against Castle at the Bedford North Lawrence semistate. As the Trojans' season continues, they have notably gotten meaningful contributions across the lineup. Coleman took some to explain the importance of the success from the underclassmen, among others.

>"Experience can't be replaced," she said. "There's no outcoaching experience, kids being in a moment, learning that they can be resilient in tough times, and lean on their team. That's huge, you can't teach that."

>With 25 runs over the last 10 innings, Center Grove is reaching their best form at the perfect time - and they show no signs of slowing down any time soon.

>The Trojans will be back in action Saturday, just two wins shy of punching a ticket to their second consecutive state championship game.

>Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen. Get IndyStar's high school coverage sent directly to your inbox with the High School Sports newsletter.

>This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Center Grove softball defeats Brownsburg in IHSAA 4A regional championship