North softball makes history again with first regional title since 1996

This North softball team continues to make history.

The Huskies defeated No. 11 Floyd Central 5-4 in Wednesday's Class 4A regional to clinch the program's first title since 1996 and second ever.

The win over Highlanders came down to how this team operates: Smart hitting, strong defense and gutsy pitching.

“Floyd Central is a heck of a team,” said North coach Justin Wilke. “We’ve been comparing to them to Castle for the last week and a half. We did what we had to do. Had a couple of nice hits come up when we needed them.”

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North (25-3) made the most of its opportunities in a game postponed from Tuesday due to weather.

Kami Meyerholtz (sacrifice fly) and Zoey Lewis (RBI single) put the Huskies on the board in the second. Jinnis Gerth blasted a three-run homer to straight center field to push the lead to 5-0. The latter proved to be the difference.

The offense generated only seven hits. Wilke moved the lineup around to take pressure off a few players. Gerth, who had two hits, remained a constant.

“It doesn’t matter what I do with her,” said Wilke. “(Jinnis) is going to be a solid at-bat every time she comes to the plate. She’s just one pitch away from making things happen.”

It wasn’t a shutdown effort from Warner. The senior ace allowed eight hits with four walks and only four strikeouts. But for the most part, she limited a dangerous Floyd Central (26-8) lineup from big hits.

Purdue signee Kylie Franks connected on a two-run double in the fifth. Three more extra-base hits in the seventh made it a one-run game. The Highlanders nearly tied it when a ball hit into the corner was foul by a foot.

Credit to Warner for how she responded. Facing a 3-2 count, she struck out Kate Satkoski for the final out. It was a similarly gutsy effort to her sectional championship effort against Castle. Her defense only committed one error.

“Their one-two hitters are as good as you’re ever going to face,” said Wilke. “I told them just keep playing for outs. Maci pitched her butt off.”

Next up, defending state champion Roncalli and star pitcher Keagan Rothrock. The Huskies play the top-ranked Royals at 10 a.m. CDT on Saturday at Center Grove. The winner faces No. 9 Mooresville or No. 12 Pendleton Heights that evening.

Wilke understands the challenge. Rothrock, the nation's top pitcher, is looking like her old self again after offseason surgeries. But why not take a shot at the champ?

“Rothrock is something else,” he said. “I’m looking forward to playing her. I have never seen anybody do what she does. We have nothing to lose. We’re going to show up and play our best ball.”

Follow Courier & Press sports reporter Kyle Sokeland on Twitter @kylesokeland.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Evansville North softball wins first regional championship since 1996