BOONE GROVE | Boone Grove coach Ron Saunders said the team was more than ready to play in the first round of the sectional tournament. The team proved it when they routed North Judson 14-1 in five innings in the first round of the Boone Grove Sectional Tuesday evening.
"The girls stepped it up today, they were really focused," Saunders said.
The Wolves scored all of their 14 runs in the first two innings. North Judson (2-19) pitcher Erica Humes was replaced in the second inning after giving up 10 runs, seven walks and four wild pitches. Boone Grove went through 21 batters over two innings, putting together eight hits and loaded the bases five times.
"We played better today than the first time we played Boone Grove," North Judson coach Brian Reading said. "But we struggled with pitching and gave up too many walks."
North Judson got on the board first after a wild pitch from Wolves pitcher Kayla Yadron scored Staci Allen. Boone Grove answered quickly in the bottom of the first inning. Yadron tripled to left field to score Mackenzie Starcevich, tying the game at 1-1. Boone Grove added seven more runs in the first to extend their lead to 8-1. Scoring seven additional runs in the second inning put the Wolves ahead 14-1.
Boone Grove's Starcevich reached base thee of her four times at bat. She knocked in two runners and scored three times.
"Mackenzie hits well," Saunders said. "She's our leadoff hitter, so when she hits well, we all hit well. She's the spark of the team."
Yardon pitched four innings for the Wolves, striking out 6 batters. She gave up a one hit and only three Blue Jays reached base. She also scored twice for the Wolves and reached base all four times she was at bat.
"Kayla did a nice job. She kept her focus and played good today," Saunders said.
Boone Grove now has a quick turnaround and faces sectional favorite Hebron, who defeated Boone Grove 8-0 earlier in the season.
"I thought we played good today, and now we just need to come out against Hebron," Starcevich said. "This game helped build our confidence."
"On any given day, anyone can win," Saunders said. "It's hard going from one extreme to another, but we'll try to do this to Hebron. All we need to do is keep up our intensity."
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