Sectional 40 Wide Open

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FRANKTON — The Class 2A softball tournament gets started for Lapel in Frankton this year and Sectional 40 looks to be as wide open as ever. The Bulldogs have had their ups and downs this season, but are 6-0 against sectional opponents. Lapel will have to open against the home standing Eagles in the semifinals at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Here is a glance at each team in this sectional.

ALEXANDRIA-MONROE (11-13) — The Tigers are led offensively by junior Mackenzie McCarty, who is hitting at a .458 clip with four home runs and 16 runs batted in. The Tigers struggle to score runs at times, averaging just over five per game, and will need good pitching from senior Kait Davis and junior Abby Burnett to advance. They will also need to play better defense — the Tiger fielding percentage is just .912. Alexandria is also 0-5 this season against teams in this sectional.

FRANKTON (13-10)—The young Eagles seem to be coming into their own at the right time, having won seven of their past 10 games. One of the top freshmen in the area, Aleyah Rastetter, leads Frankton in plate appearances, at-bats, hits, RBI, doubles, home runs and stolen bases. Frankton also boasts one of the best pitchers in the county in senior Kate Buis (4-3, 1.99 ERA) who has struck out 71 batters in 45 innings pitched. The Eagles will have revenge on their mind in the semifinals against Lapel, having lost to the Bulldogs twice this season.

LAPEL (12-11) — The Bulldogs have not had a winning streak of more than three games nor a losing streak of more than two games. Despite having just one senior, this team should have plenty of confidence heading into this sectional with two wins each against Frankton and Shenandoah and victories over Alexandria and Wapahani. Lapel has no problems offensively, as they score better than eight runs per game and are led by junior Jasmine Hazelbaker at .471 with four homers and 26 RBI. Fellow junior Sophie Cline leads the team with five home runs, and as a team, Lapel has clubbed 16 on the year. The lone senior is Brooke Daniels, who anchors the pitching staff with a 5-5 record and a 4.02 ERA with eight complete games.

Junior Jasmine Hazelbaker is a force in the middle of the Bulldog lineup, hitting .442 with four homers and 31 RBI.
Junior Jasmine Hazelbaker is a force in the middle of the Bulldog lineup, hitting .442 with four homers and 31 RBI.

MONROE CENTRAL (13-7) — The Golden Bears enter sectional on something of a roll, winners of six of their past seven, allowing just 14 runs in those six wins. Monroe Central has plenty of gap power, with 34 doubles on the year, and is led by junior Faith Cope with a .500 average, two homers and 21 RBI. Sophomore Jordyn Barga leads the Golden Bears with 24 RBI and is the club’s top pitcher at 7-2 with a 2.05 ERA in 54 innings pitched. Monroe Central will open the sectional against Alexandria-Monroe at 5 p.m. Monday, May 22.

SHENANDOAH (11-10) — The Raiders had climbed into the state rankings until a recent four game losing streak, capped off by a doubleheader sweep at the hands of Lapel Saturday, May 13. Junior Sami Deley is the top offensive player for Shenandoah with a .404 average and 21 hits, including three home runs. Junior Kenzie Williams is the most frequently used pitcher for Shenandoah. She is 5-7 with a 3.71 ERA in 68 innings pitched but has only fanned 29. The Raiders struggle defensively with just a .915 fielding percentage.

WAPAHANI (15-13) — The Raiders is another team that’s been inconsistent this year, although it has won four of its past five with the only loss being a 10-inning affair at Pendleton Heights. Junior Annie Schuck provides the offense some power with six home runs and 30 RBI to go along with a .459 average. Where this team struggles is in the circle. Their staff ERA is 6.69, led by junior Hannah Buchanan, who has pitched 112.2 innings this year but owns a 7.21 ERA. Wapahani and Shenandoah face off at about 7 p.m. Monday in the second game.

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