Kirsten Danford
Columbus North broke open a close game with four runs in its final two at-bats late Thursday night to pull away for an 8-2 softball win against Whiteland in the semifinals of the North Sectional.
The Class 4A No. 2 Bull Dogs led 4-0 after four innings before the Warriors scored twice in the top of the fifth to cut the lead in half. North then plated three runs in the bottom of the fifth and added one in the sixth.
Maddi Rutan threw a six-hitter and struck out 12 for the Bull Dogs. Josie Lemmons went 3 for 4 with a triple, and Kirsten Danford went 2 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs.
North (25-1-1) will play Shelbyville (19-8) for the sectional title at 7 p.m. today at Southside Elementary. The Golden Bears beat Franklin 8-3 in Thursday’s first semifinal.
