Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc.

9150 North Meridian Street, Box 40650, Indianapolis, Indiana 46240-0650

Phone: 317-846-6601    Fax: 317-575-4244    Website: www.ihsaa.org

Blake Ress, Commissioner

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                                                                                                                                                   June 9, 2007

 

HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN CAPS OFF UNBEATEN SEASON WITH STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

 

Hamilton Southeastern beat Castle by the score 2-1 in 10 innings to win the Class 4A state softball championship at Ben Davis High School. The Royals finish off an undefeated season (31-0) behind the left arm of ace pitcher Morgan Melloh.

 

In the bottom of the 10th inning, Hamilton Southeastern had a lead off single by Brett Williams and a sacrifice bunt by Taylor Rager, Melloh found the left-centerfield gap scoring Williams and ended the game with a walk-off double.

 

This is the second year in a row a team finished the season undefeated. Whiting won the Class A title a year ago without dropping a game all season.

 

The pitching staff and defense of Hamilton Southeastern had a great year—they allowed only 16 runs for the entire season and shutout their opponents in 21 of their 31 games.

 

Melloh has thrown five no-hitters and four perfect games on the season for Hamilton Southeastern. She carried a perfect game into the 7th until Castle lead off hitter Laura Helms In the 7th inning broke up Melloh’s perfect game. After a sacrifice bunt moving Helms into scoring position. Megan Darr hit a grounder to second that Hamilton Southeastern second baseman Taylor Rager misplayed and got into right field allowing Helms to score and tie the ball game.

 

In the bottom of the 8th inning, Hamilton Southeastern had their chance to score, after a single by Kaleigh McCoy and a sacrifice bunt moving McCoy into scoring position, a single back up the middle by Jenna Abraham, forced a throw from Castle centerfielder Emerald Graham, who threw a laser to catcher Sarah Hart who then tagged McCoy before she even had a chance to slide.

 

There were two state records in the game. Melloh set a record for most strikeouts with 26. This number is more than any pitcher in a state finals game in the 23 years of IHSAA girls’ softball. Brett Williams also becomes the first 4A player to hit a triple in the state finals.

 

Castle is coached by 17th year head coach Pat Lockyear. He managed the Knights to their only other softball state title in 2001 when they defeated Pendleton Heights 4-1. Hamilton Southeastern is making their first appearance in softball to the state finals. They are led by 19 year skipper David Cook.

 

 

Eliza Scanlon of McCutcheon named Mental Attitude Award winner

Eliza Scanlon of McCutcheon High School was recognized by members of the IHSAA Executive Committee as this year’s recipient of the Mental Attitude Award in Class 4A softball.

 

Eliza graduated as the Valedictorian in her senior class of 319 students. She is involved with IHSAA Leadership Group, National Honor Society, Spanish Club and Senior Board among others.

 

In the community, Eliza is a member of the St. Ann’s Catholic Church and 4-H. She volunteers for Child Protective Services and helps prepare meals for the Lafayette Urban Ministry as well working with the Humane Society and the Muscular Dystrophy Telethon.

 

She was named to the Academic All-State Team this year and was voted All-District and All-Conference. Scanlon is also a member of the McCutcheon basketball team.

 

She is the daughter of Dave and Donna Scanlon.

 

In the fall, Scanlon will attend DePauw University to study elementary education.

 

Matt Smith of Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, the corporate partner of the IHSAA, presented a $1,000 scholarship to McCutcheon High School in the name of Eliza Scanlon.