Mark Hensley is not the least bit surprised how powerful Shelbyville softball has been this season at the plate.

What he did not expect was the pitching performances of a trio of varsity-inexperienced hurlers.

“I thought we had a chance to be this good,” said Hensley of the 24-4 Golden Bears. “One of the biggest surprises is the pitching is better than I expected it to be. I knew our team could hit and score runs but we didn’t get to see any of our pitchers last year.”

The COVID-19 pandemic shut down the 2020 softball season before it got started. That led to a long offseason of work for junior Brooke Lipperd (coming off knee surgery), sophomore Hailey Pogue (who lost her freshman season) and freshman Cheyenne Eads, who has become the team’s “big-game” pitcher.

“Yes I am,” said Hensley when asked if he is surprised how good Eads has been in the circle. “She threw in the winter in the gym and a lot of people look good in the gym until they go outside and get in the elements.

“She went outside and got better. That’s been a big plus for us. We knew she would throw a lot of innings for us but she has been dominant in some big games.”

Eads is 10-3 this season with a 2.69 earned run average. She has 91 strikeouts in 86 innings of work.

Pogue has gotten stronger as the season progressed. She enters the postseason with a 9-0 mark and 2.66 ERA.

Both could see time in the circle tonight when Class 4A, No. 6 Shelbyville opens sectional play against 4A No. 13 Columbus North (21-4) – one of four teams to pin a loss on Shelbyville.

The Golden Bears’ high-powered offense is averaging 9.8 runs per game. As a team, Shelbyville has collected 63 doubles and a program-record 66 home runs.

At least six players have five home runs this season led by Karissa Hamilton’s single-season record of 21. The University of Kentucky recruit (photo) leads the team in batting average (.614), runs scored (56), hits (54), home runs and runs batted in (54).

“She doesn’t really strike out and the contact she makes is so powerful,” said Hensley. “She works hard in the weight room and she is a tremendous athlete.”

Addisenn Weaver, a Valparaiso University commit, was moved into the leadoff spot late in the season and provided added pop at the top of the order. The senior is hitting .477 this season with 11 doubles, 10 home runs and 36 RBIs.

“At about any given time she can hit one out,” said Hensley. “The last two weeks Addie is hitting the ball so well against such good pitching. Her swings have been as good as any against them. I know she is not a traditional leadoff hitter but she hits for power and she rarely strikes out.”

That change dropped sophomore Kylee Edwards into the third spot in the order and she has continued to flourish. The shortstop is hitting. 455 with 44 runs scored, nine doubles, five home runs and a team-leading 17 doubles.

Senior Katie Mathies, committed to DePauw University, follows in the batting order and is hitting .511 with 15 doubles, 10 home runs and 42 RBIs.

The top four in the order are dynamic but Hensley has gotten production throughout the lineup.

Eads is hitting .377 with three home runs and 17 RBIs.

Kiley McIver, a junior, is hitting .312 with nine home runs and 30 RBIs.

Pogue is hitting .319.

And senior outfielder Madison Campton is batting .281 with seven home runs and 19 RBIs.

Shelbyville is the host for Sectional 14. The postseason tournament starts today with Bloomington North (6-14) taking on Columbus East (6-18) at 6 p.m.

The Golden Bears follow against Columbus North with today’s winners returning Thursday for a 6 p.m. semifinal game.

The other semifinal game Thursday pits East Central (24-3) against Bloomington South (8-12).

The sectional championship game is slated for 7 p.m. Friday.

Class 2A, Sectional 42

Class 2A, No. 7 ranked Eastern Hancock opened the Knightstown Sectional Monday with a 10-0 victory over the host Panthers (10-15).

The Royals, now 25-1, take on Triton Central (9-12) today in the second semifinal contest. Eastern Hancock lost its season opener to 4A No. 1 New Palestine and is 25-0 since then.

Heritage Christian (5-13) faces Scecina (7-12) in the first semifinal at 5 p.m.

The sectional championship game is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Class A, Sectional 59

The Edinburgh Sectional started Monday with the host Lancers defeating Waldron, 14-0.

The Mohawks’ season ended with a 10-12 record.

With the win, Edinburgh (14-10) advances to face Morristown (3-17) Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.

Today’s semifinal pits Greenwood Christian Academy (5-7) against Lutheran (10-13).

The sectional championship game is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

Photo credit: Misty Weaver