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Pioneer used a big second inning to pull away in a 10-1 victory over North Central (Farmersburg) in the Class A Softball State Championship game in the first state championship game played at Purdue University's Bittinger Stadium.

The Panthers scored two runs in the first inning and added five more in the second to take an early lead before winning the program's first state title. It was the school's second state championship in 2017-18. They also won in Class A football last fall.

Alyssa Shaw hit a two-run home run, scoring Hailey Gotshall in the opening inning before Pioneer exploded with five runs in the second inning to take a 7-0 lead.

Gotshall, Haley Gleitz, Madison Blickenstaff, Alexis Robinson, and Mikenna Landis each scored in the second.

Shawn finished with three hits, two RBIs and a run. Blickenstaff, Gotshall and Robinson each had two hits, two runs and an RBI.

Gotshall pitched a complete game for the Panthers (32-3), giving up three hits with seven strikeouts and four walks. They were coached by first year leader Gabrielle Thomas.

North Central's (23-7) lone run came in the bottom of the first inning Madison Schofield scored.

Erika Shroyer gave up 15 hits, seven earned runs and had two strikeouts and a walk in seven innings.

Kaitlyn Flowers Wins Class A Mental Attitude Award 
Members of the IHSAA Executive Committee announced Alyssa Shaw from Pioneer Junior Senior High School as the winner of this year’s Mental Attitude Award in Class A Softball.

Playing first base for Pioneer, she has been involved in numerous school athletic teams, clubs and organizations including softball, track, and volleyball and serving as yearbook editor and secretary for the National Honor Society.

While serving as class president, she graduated third in her senior class and will be attending IUPUI to study psychology. She is the daughter of Thomas and Shellie Shaw of Royal Center, Indiana.

Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance presented a $1,000 scholarship to Pioneer Junior-Senior High School in the name of Alyssa Shaw.