LACROSSE | The Times No. 9 Hebron Hawks had a little mind issue Saturday morning as the 16th annual Porter County Conference softball tournament continued in LaCrosse.
Rocky was supposed to be there when the lights were bright. But Rocky was a no-show.
Hebron expected to play No. 8 Hanover Central. But the Wildcats, who beat the Hawks in the regular season, were upset Friday by Washington Township.
"I heard on Friday night that they lost," Hebron senior pitcher Mollie Lindeman said. "So I knew we had to be pumped up and ready to play."
Hebron beat the Senators 7-0 in the semifinal, then Lindeman decided to make a little history in the championship game against Boone Grove. And she did.
Lindeman whiffed nine Wolves and threw her school-record fourth no-hitter as the Hawks won their second straight PCC tournament title with a 10-0 win.
"We've faced her twice and we haven't scored a run," Boone Grove coach Ron Saunders said. "That about says it all."
The Wolves (13-10) didn't help themselves much, committing five errors in the first four innings. And the Hawks lineup was ready to do some damage. The hitting was more than contagious for the Hawks (18-3).
Lindeman had a three-run triple in the fifth inning. Ashlyn Wheeler had two RBIs. Katie Clemens was 3-for-4 with two runs scored and one RBI. Emily O'Leary had three hits. Maggie Lindeman had three hits, a triple and two runs scored. And Rachel Pauer was 3-for-4.
"The bottom of our lineup was awesome," Mollie Lindeman said.
"We were expecting to play Hanover," Pauer said. "But we knew we had to be ready. I've been working on my hitting a lot and it's awesome that it's paying off. This is great."
Hebron coach Mike McLindon has now won two PCC tourney titles in his two years on the job. He said he was very pleased with the way his defense backed up Lindeman and the way his team hit the ball. It's something he said the Hawks have been working hard at of late.
"Mollie was dialed in," McLindon said. "That's a pretty good team over there. This is a good time of the year to be playing your best softball. And I felt like we did this weekend."
Hebron did not give up a run in its three tournament wins.
Saunders' team started the season 1-6, but have turned the corner. With a chance of play Hebron again in the Class 2A sectional, he hopes his Wolves can keep improving.
"The kids are getting better," Saunders said. "I feel good that we got to the championship game. We just have to keep working."
Please Wait…