CHARLOTTESVILLE — Instead of candles on top of a birthday cake, Eastern Hancock’s softball team’s high-powered offense gave pitcher Madison Stephens a run for each year, and the customary one to grow on.
The 16-year old sophomore pitcher threw a two-hit shutout and struck out 10 in a five-inning 17-0 Mid-Eastern Conference victory over Monroe Central at Eastern Hancock High School, Wednesday.
It was the team’s 18th straight win since a 4-3 opening game loss to Class 4A No. 1 New Palestine.
The Royals, ranked No. 6 in the latest Indiana Coaches of Girls Sports Association Class 2A poll, are 18-1 overall and 6-0 in the MEC. Monroe Central dropped to 0-11 and 0-4.
It was a nice birthday present for the coach’s daughter, but the Eastern Hancock offense has been delivering huge offerings to the pitching staff all season. Wednesday’s output was the Royals 14th double-digit scoring game and 11th to end early due to the 10-run mercy rule.
“It’s such an awesome thing, as a pitcher, to be able to know that no matter how you do on the mound your offense is always going to back you up,” Madison Stephens, who improved to 7-0 on the season, said.
“It was a little nerve-racking (pitching on my birthday) because I had a lot of my family here, but in my dad’s eyes that doesn’t matter at all,” she added. “It’s all about staying focused on the game and doing my best.”
Already owners of the school record for home runs in a single season (34), the Royals displayed more than just the longball in their impressive win against the Bears.
Nine of the team’s 15 hits were singles. They stole seven bases and moved runners aggressively, too, with seven stole bases, a sacrifice bunt and on infield ground outs.
It was a little bit of everything.
“We’ve got really good speed and can steal bases. Almost everyone on this team can lay down a bunt and a lot of times beat it out,” head coach Terry Stephens said. “We can play short ball, long ball, whatever we need to sometimes. Today, I wanted to see those bats get going. I knew once we started timing, hitting singles and line drives, the power would follow right behind it.”
That’s exactly how it worked on Wednesday
Eastern Hancock scored two first-inning runs on three singles and a ground out. It led 2-0 before some third-inning offensive fireworks.
The Royals scored 10 times on seven hits. They had a stretch where seven straight batters reached safely. During that span Brooklyn Willis and Kaylee Kline each had doubles. Grace Stapleton had a two-run single and Sammie Bolding drove in two with her school-record 11th home run of the season.
“We’ve got the power to hit it over the fence, but we definitely have the small ball, the speed, and the smarts. We’ve got all the tools to win a game on offense and on defense,” junior third baseman Taylor Koch, who had two RBI-singles, said. “We’re, all-around, a very solid team this year.”
They hit for the cycle in a five-run fourth inning. Emma Bolding had an RBI-double. Sydni Bednarski followed with a two-run homer that hit the top of the fence on its way out of the ballpark. Caroline Stapleton had an RBI-triple. Kaylee Stewart drove in a run with a single and Cameron Spegal had a pinch-hit single.
Both hits off Madison Stephens were singles. Monroe Central had a two-out hit in the first and a lead-off single in the fifth. Following the fifth inning hit, she struck out the next three batters to end the game. She had at least two strikeouts in four of five innings.
Her lone inning of trouble was the second. She hit two batters. The second came with two outs. She rebounded quickly striking out Monroe Central leadoff hitter Bre Hale for the third out of the inning.
“She struggled a little bit at the beginning, but once she settled down, had our nose to nose discussion, she got mad at me a little bit and she started dialing them in,” coach Stephens said. “She’s not going to blow the ball by a lot of hitters, her strength is her location. Typically, where I call the pitch, she’ll throw it there.
“Her birthday was today, so she may have had some birthday jitters.”
“I started off a little nervous for sure,” Madison added. “I hadn’t pitched in a few days, but once I found my groove I was good. Seeing my defense and my offense behind me always takes my nerves away.”
In their quest for an MEC championship, the Royals final two conference games are against Daleville (2-5, 0-3) on May 18 and Wes-Del (9-8, 4-3) on May 20. Both are home games. Cowan, who the Royals beat 5-1 on April 22, are in second place at 4-1.
The Royals are at Anderson today for a 5:30 p.m. contest.
