If Bartholomew County softball teams are going to win sectional titles this year, they’ll have to win three games after making three long busrides.
Columbus North and Columbus East both will play in the opening round at East Central. The same day, Hauser will make the hour-and-45 minute trek to Rising Sun.
“When we play the early game it’s a serious conflict because we can’t get out of school early,” Hauser coach Craig Sims said. “We get out of school at 3:00, and the girls have 15 minutes to get dressed and get on the bus, and bus leaves at 3:15, and that puts you there at almost 5:00.”
The Class A No. 6 Jets won’t play until the second game at around 7:30 p.m. May 21 against Oldenburg Academy. If Hauser wins, it would play Rising Sun or North Decatur at 5:30 p.m. May 22. South Decatur plays Jac-Cen-Del received byes and will play in the second semifinal, and the championship game is at 6 p.m. May 24.
The Jets are the favorite to defend their sectional title, but Sims said Rising Sun and Jac-Cen-Del could pose challenges.
“We’re not going to overlook anybody,” Sims said. “We have to go down there with the mentality that we have to beat Oldenburg first, and it’s go-or-go-home time.
In the Class 4A East Central Sectional, Columbus North will play Bloomington North in the opener at 6 p.m. May 21. Columbus East will face Shelbyville at around 8 p.m. that night.
The Golden Bears beat the Olympians 10-0 in five innings on April 20.
“Shelbyville has to be the favorite going in, and then if we get past them, Bloomington North, although their record isn’t great, but if they get past Columbus North, they would be a tough opponent, as well,” Columbus East coach Rusty Brummett said. “But at some point, you have to run into Shelbyville, whether it’s in the first round or the championship. They’re a very good hitting team. I think their defense is good, but you have to be able to hit with them.”
The first-round winners will meet at 6 p.m. May 22, followed by East Central playing Bloomington South. The championship game will be May 24.
The Columbus North-Bloomington North battle also will be a rematch. The Bull Dogs outhit the Cougars on April 17, but lost 7-5.
“That was a great game between us,” Columbus North coach Ron McDonald said. “The favorite for our sectional is Shelbyville, so that will be a tough game if we play them. But I would like to play East again, especially if (pitcher) Meghan (Waggoner) is healthy.”
Also in 4A, Jennings County will play host Bedford North Lawrence at around 7:30 p.m. May 21 in the first round. The winner will face Jeffersonville or New Albany at 5:30 p.m. May 22, followed by Seymour playing Floyd Central. The title game is at 5:30 p.m. May 24.
Brown County will face Sullivan at 5:30 p.m. May 21 in the opening round of the Class 3A Edgewood Sectional. The winner will meet Edgewood or Owen Valley at 5:30 p.m. May 22, followed by West Vigo playing Northview. The title game is at 6 p.m. May 23.
Edinburgh drew a first-round bye in its own Class A sectional and will play Greenwood Christian Academy at around 5:30 p.m. May 24. The title game, which likely would be against Indianapolis Lutheran, is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. May 25.
If Edinburgh and Hauser win their respective sectionals, the Lancers would host the Jets in the regional on May 29.
In the Class A West Washington Sectional, Trinity Lutheran will play Orleans in the semifinals. The winner will play West Washington or Crothersville for the title.
