BENTON —
Lakeland’s Lauren McKibben has been through more than her share of adversity during her high school athletic career: She suffered two torn ACLs and missed the past two softball seasons.
But this year, as a senior, she’s been able to get back on the field — and Thursday night, McKibben got a huge reward for all her perseverence and hard work coming back from the pair of injuries: She drove in what would prove to be the winning run with a third-inning single to spark the Lakers to a 2-0 win over Wawasee in the championship game of the Class 3A Fairfield Sectional.
For McKibben, it was all about helping the team succeed — and Lakeland coach Sherry Severson said that through all the time off, McKibben was right there with her teammates.
“She attended every practice, every game,” Severson said.
And McKibben said she never doubted herself. “I knew that I’d be able to make it back,” McKibben said after the game.
The game was a pitcher’s duel between Wawasee’s Gabi Routson and Lakeland’s Ashlynn Grubb. Routson gave up just two hits compared to five for Grubb, but Grubb’s 13 strikeouts made the difference.
It was the first sectional title for Lakeland since 1998. The Lakers have made it to at least eight sectional title games in that span, but always came up just short.
Not this time.
Severson said the win is especially sweet for the Lakers’ six seniors: McKibben, Holly Eaton, Alexis Meyers, Hailee McCann, Hannah Meyers and Carolyn Hershberger.
“I can’t say enough about these girls,” Severson said.
A series of extra-inning games this season — especially a 3-0, nine-inning win over fairfield in the sectional semifinals Tuesday night — helped steel the Lakers in 2012, Severson added.
Wawasee coach Cory Schutz said the story of the game for his team came down to missed opportunities.
“We didn’t make the plays, and they did,” Schutz said.
Schutz said he knew his team would have little margin for error against Grubb.
The Lakers will host a regional game against the winner of the Leo Sectional Tuesday afternoon. Leo and Woodlan met in that contest.
Game time is slated for 7 p.m., according to a prelininary bracket posted on the IHSAA Web site.
Lakeland 2, Wawasee 0
Wawasee 000 000 0 — 0-5-2
Lakeland 002 000 x — 2-2-0
Pitching: (Wawasee) Gabi Routson (L) 5 strikeouts,one walk. (Lakeland) Ashlynn Grubb (W) 13 strikeouts, no walks.
Hitting: (Wawasee) Madi Anderson 2-for-3; Sam Malik 20for-3. (Lakeland) Lauren McKibben 2-for-3, run scored, RBI
Sports
Related Photos
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Lakeland’s Lauren McKibben drives in a run with a single during the Lakers’ 2-0 win over Wawasee in the Class 3A Fairfield Sectional championship game Thursday night at Fairfield. DAVID VANTRESS
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Lakeland’s Ashlyn Grubb serves up a pitch during the sectional final game against Wawasee. DAVID VANTRESS
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