FC measures Bloomington North with ease

FC's Kayla Knight (12) prepares to step off the bag toward Bloomington North first baseman Amanda Pedigo (25) as a pitch from the Cougars' Alicia Brewer (14) heads toward home plate. Photo by Mike Ayers. Click here for additional pictures.

The Franklin Central girls' softball team positioned itself for another strong finish in the Conference Indiana standings by punishing visiting Bloomington North 9-2 on Thursday, April 25, at the East Athletic Fields Complex.

Once again, FC senior Chanda Bell turned in another stout performance in the circle, holding the Cougars scoreless for five innings while permitting only one hit, striking out 11 and issuing no free passes.

Juniors Mandy Leming and Kayla Knight combined for five hits in leading the Franklin Central offensive attack. Leming collected a trio of safeties, knocked in one run and scored three times. Knight stroked a pair of hits and drove one runner across home plate.

The victory bumped FC's overall season ledger to 13-3, with the Flashes posting their fourth straight conference decision. The state's No. 1-ranked Class 4A team has two conference contests remaining – against Lawrence Central on Tuesday, May 6, in a home encounter and on Thursday, May 7, at Pike.

To date over the past three seasons, Franklin Central has recorded a 54-17 record, including a 19-2 mark against conference rivals.

The Flashes are scheduled to play host to Cathedral in a non-conference pairing on Friday, April 25, in a 5 p.m. start.

In the junior varsity match-up between Franklin Central and Bloomington North, FC topped the Cougars 9-1 in upping its season record to 9-1. Haley Bruce notched the pitching decision, going the distance while yielding eight hits, striking out a batter and hitting another. Darcy Duncan stroked two doubles and drove in one run to top the Flashes' offensive statistics.

- FTONEWS.com -