The 19^th Annual IHSAA Softball State Finals

June 13-14, 2003

Center Grove Upends Lake Central For 3A Championship

In the first rematch of a previous year’s state championship game, Center Grove edged defending champ Lake Central, 2-0, to win the 2003 IHSAA Class 3A state championship at the Cherry Tree Complex in Carmel.

Both teams entered the contest winners of 21 straight games, but it was the Trojans (29-6) who earned the victory and their fourth state championship, the third under coach Russ Milligan (1986, 1995, 1998 (3A) ).

Center Grove scored a run in the fourth and added another for good measure in the seventh for the final margin.

Emily Morgan, pinch-running for Brittany Hedrick, who had singled to left to lead off the fourth inning, scored from second base with two outs on a wild pitch followed by a throwing error by the Lake Central catcher. Morgan had moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Whitney Warner. It was the first run given up by Lake Central in seven tournament games.

Center Grove added its insurance run in the seventh when Sarah Lambert scored from third on a bloop single to left field by Warner. Lambert had tripled down the right field line with one gone in the inning.

Center Grove’s victory denied Lake Central’s attempt at becoming the first repeat state champion in the tournament’s 19 years. The Indians (32-3-1) were coached by Keith Hauber.

Brittany Hedrick of Center Grove Named Mental Attitude Award Winner

Members of the IHSAA Executive Committee selected Brittany Hedrick of Center Grove High School as the winner of this year’s Mental Attitude Award in Class 3A Softball.

Hedrick, a senior first baseman for the state champion Trojans, owns a 10.5 GPA on an 11.0 scale while taking honors courses in mathematics, English, science and foreign language while also playing volleyball in the fall.

Outside of school, she has volunteered her time toward the Mosel Sanders Thanksgiving Dinner, worked with the Special Olympics and also tutors students in the Center Grove Community School Corporation.

Additionally, Brittany becomes the first female student-athlete from her school to win an IHSAA mental attitude award.

Farm Bureau Insurance, the IHSAA’s proud corporate partner, presented a check for $1,000 to Center Grove High School in the name of Brittany Hedrick.

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.