TERRE HAUTE – Bedford North Lawrence, ranked No.3 in Class 4A, opened the Lady Braves Bash with a 6-2 victory over Class A No.1 Tecumseh during high school softball action on Friday night.
The Stars (8-1 with seventh consecutive wins) pounded two home runs while pitching ace Annie Waggoner was strong in the circle, striking out 10 as BNL started pool play in the eight-team tournament with a quality victory over the defending A state champion.
BNL took control in the third. Lauryn Anderson popped a single to center, and Waggoner launched a two-out, two-run homer to right.
The Braves cut into that lead in the fourth. Katelyn Marx walked, Jenna Donohoo doubled to left, and Marx scored when Karsyn Flowers lofted a fly ball that was misplayed. But the Stars responded with two more in the sixth when Aliza Jewell singled and Kendall Graves hammered a home run to left.
BNL added insurance runs in the seventh. Waggoner walked, pinch runner Anna Williams advanced to second on a passed ball, and Braxton McCauley followed with a RBI single. Jewell singled, and Graves added a run-scoring single.
Tecumseh’s Natalie Feather pounded a solo homer in the seventh.
Waggoner (5-0) went the distance, allowing only four hits. Jewell had three hits, Graves (3 RBIs), Anderson and Tori Nikirk had two hits each.
BNL will face Avon (which BNL conquered 8-2 on April 1 at BNL) on Saturday morning at 9 a.m., then meet Northview in the final game of pool play at 11 a.m. The final will be played on Saturday afternoon.
