Senior-led Cowan softball captures 3rd straight regional title

MUNCIE, Ind. — Cowan softball entered the 2023 campaign carrying some of the highest expectations of any Class 1A team in the state as a number of players returned from its 2022 run to semistate.

Despite these expectations, the Blackhawks were slow out of the gates, posting a 5-4 record to open the year.

However, the narrative of the squad’s season flipped drastically in late-April when it ignited a hot streak that it is still riding deep into the postseason.

Since April 22, the black and gold have won 17 of their last 18 outings, with victories over East Central Indiana’s top competition.

The Blackhawks’ rollercoaster season was epitomized by its come-from-behind 2-1 regional win over Tri on Tuesday, which earned the program its third-straight regional trophy.

“The first five innings, it was kind of tight,” head coach Curtis Bynum said. “That’s how we played the first five games. The last two innings, we played loose. That's how we finished, so that's what we're trying to do is play loose, have fun and go out there and control what we can control.”

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At the heart of the Cowan’s (22-5) midseason turnaround has been its contributions from its stellar group of seniors — McKenna Minton, Aryonna Bynum, Josie Byrd, Miranda Bowling and Tatum Rickert — who have been integral to the program’s success in recent seasons.

The same factors were in play during Tuesday’s IHSAA Regional 28 championship. The Blackhawks trailed 1-0 through five innings and were struggling to push runs across, but a slew of key plays from their five seniors helped seal the win.

The loudest and most notable of the group’s contributions came from Bynum, whose two-out RBI single in the bottom of the seventh frame handed Cowan the victory in walk-off fashion.

“When I was walking up to the plate, I was a little anxious,” Aryonna said. “I knew if I poked a ball and put it in play, everything would be okay. And even if I didn’t, my team would back me up.”

Making the winning moment even more special for the Blackhawks is the father-daughter connection between Aryonna and coach Bynum.

“I don’t expect anything less,” coach Bynum said with a laugh. “But with that being said, I knew she had it in her …and it's extremely satisfying to see that.”

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Bynum’s game-winning swing would not have been possible without Rickert’s clinic in the circle.

The Earlham College signee has served as Cowan’s reliable ace all season and she delivered a statement performance Tuesday with seven strikeouts, four hits and zero earned runs in a complete seven-inning effort.

Headlining Rickert’s strong showing was her late-game heroics, which stymied the Titans’ offensive onslaught.

In the sixth inning, Tri threatened with runners on first and second base, but Rickert slammed the door with an inning-ending strikeout. Then, the following inning saw the Cowan star retire two straight batters after the Titans positioned a runner on second base with just one out.

Rickert navigated through the game’s high-pressure moments by clinging to a simple mindset. She told herself to “just take a deep breath, and don’t overthrow.”

A pair of other seniors — Bowling and Minton — also shined when Cowan’s season looked to be in jeopardy.

Bowling was a defensive force at first base all evening, but her most impactful play came in the batter's box.

With one out in the bottom of the sixth inning, Bowling slapped a ball to the shortstop and beat the throw for a single, which scored the Blackhawks’ first run of the evening.

Not only did Bowling’s RBI single even the score at 1-1, but it provided a crucial momentum swing that Cowan rode in the seventh frame.

Although Minton did not deliver any RBIs, her numerous contributions impacted her team’s journey to the title.

Throughout the entire game, the Purdue-Fort Wayne signee provided impressive flashes of leather, which supported Rickert’s pitching performance. She showed impressive range at the shortstop position, and gobbled up a number of would-be hits for the Titans.

In addition to her strong defensive effort, Minton also provided offensive firepower.

The senior infielder leads the team in batting average with an astounding 0.703 mark, and is known for her contact skills. However, Minton left her traditional lead-off hitter attributes behind as she cranked a pitch to the outfield fence for a triple in the bottom of the seventh.

Minton would come around to score the winning run after her frozen rope triple, capping off her fine night on the field.

The Blackhawks added their 22nd victory to the win column, an achievement that is accompanied by a trio of impressive feats. Over the course of the season, Cowan softball has earned its first-ever Delaware County crown, its third-straight sectional trophy, and now another regional championship.

Cowan completed its quest for its fifth regional title in program history on its home field, in front of a sizable crowd which completely encircled the diamond. Coach Bynum noted his appreciation for the community support and expressed what it meant to win a title on his team’s home field.

“That right there, that win, here, to celebrate on our (field), it’s huge for our community,” Bynum said. “They’re not used to this.”

The Blackhawks, ranked fourth in Class 1A, face No.5 Rossville (22-6) in the opening game of the two-round semistate on Saturday in Frankfort. The victor will await the winner of Caston v. Kouts.

Semistate has become familiar territory for Cowan’s accomplished senior class as they have reached that stage every year of their careers. However, they have failed to advance to the state championship in both of their trips and they are seeking redemption in their final season.

“We would love to make it through semistate (and) bring home that trophy,” Rickert said. “We’ve been there every year and got put out, and we’re looking to … hopefully bring home the state title to end our senior year.”

Bynum expressed a simple, yet fitting sentiment that seems to be shared around the entire team as it looks to advance to state on Saturday.

“We’re gonna work our butts off until we get there,” she said.

Follow Adam Altobella on Twitter @AltobellaAdam.

This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Cowan softball 3rd straight IHSAA regional championship title win