June 11, 2011
SOUTH PUTNAM NEEDS EXTRA INNINGS TO WIN SCHOOL’S FIRST SOFTBALL STATE TITLE
In the first extra innings game in the history of the 2A championship game, the No. 2 South Putnam Eagles pulled out a thrilling 5-1 victory over the No. 1 Woodlan Warriors, 5-1 in nine innings at Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis.
It was a pitcher’s duel early as the game remained scoreless through the first three innings. Woodlan pitcher sophomore Hannah Robbins gave up only one hit during those three innings, while South Putnam’s junior pitcher Brooke Boetjer surrendered only three hits.
However, to start the fourth inning Eagles sophomore third baseman Jenna Jones hit a one run home run to break the scoreless tie. The game remained a 1-0 contest until a two out single in the bottom of the sixth by Woodlan sophomore Hannah Robbins through the right side of the infield to score freshman Burgundy Price tied the game at 1-1.
Both teams went scoreless through the 7th and 8th innings before everything changed when South Putnam freshman MaKenzie Trisler came up to bat and knocked a single to right field. This was followed up by a bunt single by sophomore Janet Crafton, and junior Emily Dabkowski coaxed a walk to load the bases. Eagles junior Jenny Thompson stepped up to bat and belted a bases clearing double to deep left field making the score 4-1. Thompson later scored on an error to make the score 5-1.
South Putnam (28-1) was led by head coach Chris Jones, in his third year with the Eagles. Third-year head coach Barry Ehle led the Woodlan Warriors (26-3) to their first runner-up finish.
GRACE KELLER OF WOODLAN WINS 2A MENTAL ATTITUDE AWARD
Members of the IHSAA Executive Committee announced Grace Keller of Woodlan High School as the winner of the 2011 Class 2A Mental Attitude Award in Softball.
Keller is a three-time letterwinner for Woodlan and was named to the All-Conference Team her junior and senior years. She earned Academic All-State honors in softball, and was selected as the recipient of Woodlan’s Senior Athlete Mental Attitude Award. The Allen County Voice honored her as 2011’s “Outstanding Softball Player of the Year.” The talented athlete is also a four-year member of the Warrior basketball and volleyball teams.
Ranked first in her senior class, Keller has maintained a rigorous class schedule. She is secretary of the National Honor Society, student leader for Campus Life, and a member of the Student Council. She has volunteered for many service organizations, including the Woodlan Community Service Club, Salvation Army, and Student Rotary.
Keller will attend Valparaiso University in the fall to study Recreational Therapy. She is the daughter of Bambi and Tom Keller of Woodburn.
Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, the proud corporate partner of all IHSAA tournaments, presented a $1,000 scholarship to Woodlan High School in the name of Grace Keller.