GREENFIELD — Unlike basketball season, there were no first-round byes in sight for Hancock County softball teams on Sunday.
The IHSAA announced the 2019 sectional pairings in a live broadcast, and all four county teams will be playing in opening-round games this spring.
In Class 4A, Mt. Vernon will host a sectional that includes two ranked teams, including county rival Greenfield-Central. The No. 15 Cougars will open the sectional with a game against Richmond, while the hosts will face Muncie Central in the second game of opening night. The Cougars and Marauders would meet in a semifinal with a victory, while No. 6 Pendleton Heights and Anderson play in the other semifinal after drawing byes.
In Class 3A, the back-to-back state champion New Palestine Dragons will host again. The No. 1 Dragons drew a matchup with Beech Grove, with the winner moving on to play Connersville in the semifinals. The other semifinal matchup sees Rushville against Indian Creek.
In Class 2A, Eastern Hancock drew an opening-round game against the hosts, Heritage Christian. The other opening game of that sectional will see Knightstown take on Irvington Preparatory Academy, with the winners of those games meeting in a semifinal game. The other semifinal matchup will see Triton Central and Indianapolis Howe square off.
The defending sectional champions are Pendleton Heights, New Palestine and Knightstown. Sectional play is set to start May 20.
