BOONE GROVE | Earlier in the season when Hebron played North Newton, the Hawks scored two runs at the end of the game for a one-run victory.
This time, Hebron scored in the first inning to set the tone and keep the lead for the entire game. The Hawks (21-5) cruised to a 9-2 victory in the first round of the Boone Grove Sectional Monday evening.
"We played really well, but we got complacent," Hebron coach Mike McLindon said. "We need to keep up the intensity."
The Hawks had a 5-0 lead into the third inning which grew to 9-0 by the sixth inning. North Newton (5-17) scored twice in the bottom of the sixth.
"We're just not an experienced team, and we knew it would be a rebuilding year," North Newton coach Amanda Suarez said. The Spartans had six errors in the game. "We need to take our mistakes and learn from them."
Hebron pitcher Mollie Lindeman struck out nine of eleven batters over the first three innings and finished having fanned 13. She walked one batter and allowed six hits.
"I played well today," Lindeman said. "I kept the ball low and then high when I knew I wanted to strike out players."
"(Mollie) did an outstanding job, and the defense behind her made big plays to help too," McLindon said.
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