DEAN JACKSON
WZBD.com
LEO — Call it a hunch. Nothing concrete. There are no compelling facts, just a feeling. But it wasn’t all that surprising, either.
Heritage softball coach Amanda Minchski had a gut feeling the Patriots were due.
Her squad got full production at the plate, dominating pitching and steady defense, and a 9-1 victory over Garrett in the opening round of the Class 3A IHSAA softball sectional at Leo.
The Lions posted seven runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to top Bishop Dwenger 18-3. In the other semi-final, also at Leo, Angola (10-12) will face Woodlan (15-9). The Warriors got past Concordia 10-0 Monday in the opening round. Angola drew a bye in the opening round.
“We’ve had some ups and downs this season, but to see them putting everything together at the right time is what we want to see,” she said. “At tournament time, we’re just focused on survival events, and, you know, we did that tonight with all the hits we had, hiding up and down the lineup, and getting some deep in our order. I mean, we’ve always known that we have the ability. It’s just been hit-or-miss for us. And so, again, to see it reappear tonight is great.”
Buoyed by a dominating pitching performance by Danica Fuller, the Patriots (10-9) advanced to face Leo (23-5) tonight in the semi-final round.
Fuller cut through Garrett, striking out 13 while allowing just four hits.
Fuller may not have been flawless, but it was impressive.
She had control of her pitches tonight,” Minchski noted. “She was getting them to swing more, and when she can do that, she can control the game. She did that, and the defense had her back.
For Heritage, Abriyah James finished going 2-for-5 with three RBI. Fuller was 4-for-4 with two RBI, and Corrine Bowers added two more. Grace Guenthner homered. Fuller stole two bases.
We’ve had a lot from the top, but to see our bottom start chipping in and helping out is something that we needed. You know, the kids were focused this week on cutting their swings down a lot, and just being shorter to the ball showed.
Sophomore Ashlee Vanderbosch worked seven innings, allowing 13 hits and nine runs—all earned while walking four and striking out four.
At the plate, Garrett was led by Atalie Gullet, who went 1-for-3 with a double. Adelynn Work finished 1-for-3 with an RBI, and Vanderbosch stole a base that ultimately scored the only run for the Railroaders. Vanderbosch went on a walk.
Mackenzie Smith also singled for the Railroaders.
There is plenty of recent history in this rivalry. In April, Leo crushed Heritage 11-1 in Monroeville. The Lions topped Heritage in the 2023 Sectional Final 1-0.
“Leo is the standard, and that’s where we want to be. So to beat Goliath, you have to throw that stone.” Minchski explained.
If the Lions are the proverbial Goliath, their standard bearer could be pitcher Mackenzie Arroyo. The Purdue-Fort Wayne recruit is 14-2 with a.070 ERA this season.
Minchski says the Patriots are ready emotionally.
“We know we can do it. It’s just bringing it again the next night, and we’ve seen Arroyo already, and we know what she’s got. The kids have; they have all faced her, so we’re ready to battle. The kids are pumped. They’re ready to play. They want to play right now.”
