Class 4A, No. 6 Shelbyville softball added two challenging opponents to end the regular season to prepare it for the postseason.
The Golden Bears passed both tests to add some more milestones to a record-setting season.
On Friday, Hailey Pogue and Cheyenne Eads combined to keep 4A No. 3 Mooresville in check while Kiley McIver and Katie Mathies combined to drive in five runs in a 7-3 victory.
The win improved Shelbyville to 24-4 and set the record for most wins in a season. The Golden Bears tied the previous record Thursday with a 6-3 win at 4A No. 9 Center Grove. That 23rd win was also head coach Mark Hensley’s 100th career win.
Next up for the Golden Bears is a Tuesday night sectional showdown with 4A No. 16 Columbus North, one of four teams to pin a loss on them this season.
The sectional opener Tuesday at Shelbyville features Bloomington North vs. Columbus East. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Shelbyville hosts Columbus North (21-4) in the second quarterfinal contest.
Tuesday’s winners return Thursday for a semifinal game. The other semifinal Thursday pits East Central against Bloomington South.
The sectional championship game is slated for Friday at 7 p.m.
Shelbyville built a 3-0 lead on Mooresville (25-2) before Pogue allowed three runs in the top of the fourth. Pogue got through the fourth before turning over the pitching duties to Eads.
The freshman tossed three scoreless innings after the Golden Bears scored four times in the fourth.
McIver finished 2-for-3 with three RBIs. Mathies was 1-for-3 with two RBIs. Karissa Hamilton walked four times and scored two runs. Abby Brenner was 2-for-3 with a run scored.
Alexandra Cooper took the loss for the Pioneers, allowing seven hits and seven earned runs.
