Indians, Trojans advance to semis

Updated: May 24, 2011 10:52PM

CROWN POINT — Portage defeated Michigan City 7-3 and Chesterton dominated Hobart 18-5 to advance to the semifinals of the Class 4A Crown Point Sectional.

In the first game it was a towering home run by Portage’s Haley Hodges that secured the win for the Indians. Hodges drove the ball over the left center field fence.

“I’ve been struggling at the plate this season and recently felt like my swing was coming back,” she said. “I got a good pitch and drove it deep; it’s a great feeling to get the win.”

Michigan City (11-11) got their offense going in the first inning after a runner reach on a Portage error followed by two consecutive doubles to take a 2-0 lead.

Portage (19-6) answered back in the bottom of the second inning with three runs. The Wolves answered back with a run in the top of the fifth inning to tie the game at 3-3.

That’s when Hodges broke things open with her game-winning homer. Portage tallied two more runs in the sixth to seal their advancement.

“We showed some nerves early in the game and gave up two quick runs to them, but our hitters came through and hit the way we thought we could against them,” Portage coach Gil Arzola said. “But you can never take anyone for granted at sectional time and (the Wolves) are a solid team.”

In the night cap, Chesterton took the lead over the Brickies in the top of the third with three runs, only to have Hobart score twice in the bottom half of the inning.

Each team added a run in the fourth and fifth innings to keep it close.

Chesterton opened things up in the top of the sixth, thanks in part to some costly Hobart errors coupled with solid Chesterton hitting as the Trojans scored seven runs to never look back.

Megan Tymorek pitched a complete game for the Trojans, allowing five runs on six hits and striking out 11. Tymorek was also outstanding on offense side with 5-for-5 and four RBI.

Portage and Chesterton will meet in Thursday’s second semifinal following the Crown Point-Valparaiso opener.

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