The 19^th Annual IHSAA Softball State Finals

June 13-14, 2003

Gibson Southern Captures First Girls Softball Title

Behind the strong pitching of Allie May, Gibson Southern picked up its first state softball championship, capturing the Class 2A title with a 1-0 decision over New Palestine at North Central High School in Indianapolis.

The Titans scored the only run of the game in the top half of the fourth inning. After Jamie Lindauer fouled out to right to open the inning, Valerie Hale hit a high fly ball to center, which Katie Jones couldn’t handle, allowing Hale to advance to second base. Jennifer Ziliak followed with a solid double to nearly the same spot to drive in Hall and provide the winning margin.

May was in complete control of the contest, with a no-hitter going into the bottom of the seventh. In the final inning, Jamie Reed led off with a single to right to break up the no-hitter and Katie Armour followed with a solid single over second to put runners on first and second. Megan Jackson then sacrificed the tying run to third and the winning run to second. Jessica Stang followed with a grounder to short, which Valen Eberhard handled cleanly and threw out Reed at home for the second out of the inning and Armour advancing as the tying tally to third base. Ashley Bailey then got a pitch she could handle from May and hit a sharp line drive down the first base line for what appeared to be a base hit which would tie the game. At the last second, first baseman Ziliak leaped straight up to snare the shot and douse the last hope of the Dragons.

Gibson Southern, coached by Jason Blackard, finished the season at 29-4. With May allowing only four hits, they had handled Norwell 4-1 in the afternoon game to advance to the finals.

New Palestine concluded their season at 25-9 under the direction of coach Pete Cook. They scored four runs in the top of the 11^th inning to defeat Hanover Central 4-0 in afternoon play. Dragons’ pitcher Katie Armour went the distance in the game, allowing only four hits.

Allison May of Gibson Southern Selected As Mental Attitude Award Winner

Allison May of Gibson Southern was named winner of the Class 2A Softball Mental Attitude Award following her team’s victory in the championship game at North Central (Indpls.) High School.

At the conclusion of each state championship game, the IHSAA Executive Committee presents an award for mental attitude to an outstanding senior participant. The recipient of this award, who was nominated by her principal and coach, must excel in mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability.

Allie is a two-time All-Pocket Athletic Conference selection and has been named All-Gibson County all four years of her softball career. She holds the school career pitching record for victories (46) and innings pitched, as well as the season mark for shutouts (15).

Academically, Allie ranks eighth in her class of 153 and has been named Academic All-State Honorable Mention. She was an Academic Excellence Award winner during all four years at Gibson Southern. She will attend Wabash Valley College to major in Business.

She was both the junior and senior class president, as well as Homecoming Queen, a member of the cheerleading squad, where she was voted MVP the past two seaons, Snowball Dance Queen, Pep Club President, Science Club, Beta Club and Sunshine Club member and sports editor for the school newspaper. She was also active as a D.A.R.E. Role Model for the Gibson County Sheriff’s Department.

Farm Bureau Insurance, IHSAA corporate partner, presented a check for $1,000.00 to Gibson Southern High School in the name Allison May.

Team Posters And Individual Action Photographs Available

Visit 20-20 Photographic, the IHSAA’s photographer and the Midwest’s Leader in Sports Action Photography, for images captured during Saturday’s championship games! Action photos as well as 20-20’s Ultimate Sports Poster will be available for purchase later in the week following the state finals.

State Finals Programs Available

Couldn’t be at Conseco Fieldhouse for the state finals? You can still purchase a copy of the official souvenir program while supplies last! Programs are $3.00 if you purchase in person at the IHSAA Office (9150 N. Meridian Street in Indianapolis) or $5.00 by mail (postage included). To order, send a check for $5.00 made payable to the IHSAA, a note with your return address and brief description of your request and mail to: IHSAA Programs, PO Box 40650, Indianapolis, IN 46240-0650. Sorry, no credit cards. To further inquire, e-mail Assistant Sports Information Director Jason Wille at jwille@ihsaa.org.