HIGHLAND | The feel-good softball story of the spring had its final chapter written on Thursday. It was a paperback. This tome was not leather-bound.
The Morton Governors committed six errors against Munster and allowing three unearned runs in the first inning in the second game of the Class 4A Highland Sectional and fell to the Mustangs 11-0 in five innings.
Lake Central beat Highland 11-0 in five innings on a Lizzie Seymour walk-off, three-run home run. L.C. and Munster will play in tonight's championship game.
"I was nervous before the game," Munster coach Beth Thornburg said. "They've had a good year, they have good players and they've beaten teams that could beat us. Getting that lead early really helped us. You don't want to be even with a hot team like that in the fifth inning in a game like this."
Morton (21-2) committed two errors on Munsters' second and third batters. An RBI double by Gina Rice and an RBI single by Emma Hodges took the wind out of the Govs' sail.
"We were ready for everything," Rice said. "We had some good at-bats."
Rice was 3-for-4 with three RBIs. Taylor Michalski was 3-for-4 with three runs scored and two RBIs. And with Carly Murphy in the circle, the 'Stangs (18-12) did not need much else.
The junior pitcher, who missed a month of the season while having shoulder surgery, had a no-hitter going into the fifth and final inning. But hits by Ashlie Rossi and Lindsay Welch ended the drama.
"I'm feeling better than I have in a year and a half," Murphy said of her arm. "I didn't mind missing the no-hitter. I play a team sport and this is a team win."
Munster beat Lake Central 8-7 on March 27.
"We need to jump on them early, just like we did today," Rice said.
Morton coach Matt Barno had a long talk with his team, which set a school record with 21 wins. They had an emotional group hug in left field before they walked back to the dugout for the last time.
"I think it was nerves," Barno said of the poor defense. "We haven't seen a team like this. I'm so proud of all of them. No one dreamed they could do what they did this year but they did it anyway."
Lake Central's Bridget Boyle threw a one-hitter and struck out seven Trojans (5-20). Boyle was also 3-for-3 with three RBIs. But the biggest three RBIs for the Indians (25-2) came when Seymour launched her second sectional homer over the right field fence that ended the game.
"The No. 2 and 6 teams in the state have already been eliminated," Boyle said. "So we have to focus on every pitch, every at-bat and every defensive play. That's what we did."
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