News
Leo Pitches a Shutout En Route to First State Crown
Leo and Gibson Southern battled for seven innings in the third game of the day at Ben Davis High School, with Leo pulling out the 2-0 victory to capture the 3A state title. The Lions scored a run in both the first and the sixth innings, while keeping Gibson Southern off of the scoreboard.
Leo came out of the gates quickly, scoring a run in the first frame when freshman Alexa Allen dashed home after a Gibson Southern error. The Lions struck again in the sixth when freshman Makayla Hissong scored on a sacrifice fly hit by Hannah Risser.
Leo was led by their star pitcher, junior Lindsey Bowers, who pitched seven scoreless innings, giving up only four hits and striking out five. Bowers entered the sixth inning with a no-hit bid, which was broken up by Gibson Southern junior Paige Harpenau to lead off the inning. The Titans ended up loading the bases with only one out, but Bowers and the Leo defense buckled down and got out of the jam, holding Gibson Southern scoreless.
Leo head coach Ben Shappell led the Lions to a 27-6 finish and the school's first state championship in any sport.
Gibson Southern and head coach Gary May finished the season with a record of 29-4 after qualifying for the school’s sixth state finals appearance (2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2014). They were also state runner-up in 2001 in Class 2A.
Rachel Hanold of Gibson Southern Wins 3A Mental Attitude Award
Members of the IHSAA Executive Committee named Rachel Hanold of Gibson Southern High School as the winner of this year’s Mental Attitude Award in Class 3A Softball.
Ranked near the top of her class, Hanold is active in her school community as a member of the Beta Club, Student Council, Pep Club, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Hanold boasts a GPA of 3.75 and has received numerous academic honors. The two-sport athlete also earned honors for her accomplishments on the soccer field, and was named to the North-South All-Star, All-County, and All-Conference teams.
She is the daughter of Greg Hanold and Jamie Tretter of Princeton.
The IHSAA Executive Committee presented a $1,000 scholarship to Gibson Southern High School in the name of Rachel Hanold.