Senior Ariane Kurtz tossed a perfect game to lead Roncalli to its first softball state championship, a 1-0 triumph over Andrean. Kurtz, who threw a no-hitter with 18 strikeouts in Roncalli's 3-0 semifinals victory over Blackford, came back with 12 strikeouts against Andrean.

Roncalli scored its only run in the first inning. Mary Buergler opened the game by reaching base with on error. She later scored on a single from Kari Dearinger.

It was the second no-hitter in state championship game history, and the first perfect game. The other no-hitter was by Gaynelle Vogel by Twin Lakes in 4-0 triumph over Bellmont in 1989. In that game, two Twin Lakes players reached base.

Ariane Kurtz, a senior at Roncalli High School, was chosen by the IHSAA Executive Committee as the 1999 recipient of the Mental Attitude Award in Class 2A softball.

A four-year letterman, Kurtz served as the team captain the past two seasons. Academically, she ranked in the top 30 percent of her senior class, is a member of the National Honor Society and is an active community volunteer. She will attend Tri-State University on a scholarship.

Farm Bureau Insurance, corporate partner of the IHSAA, presented a $1,000 check to Roncalli High School in the name of Kurtz.

E — Stephan, Messenger, Puntillo. LOB — Roncalli 9, Andrean 0. DP -- Andrean 2. SAC -- Renick, Zapp. PB -- Mojzik. SB -- Crist, Madden, Kurtz. Umpires -- John Davis (plate), Woodie Smith (First Base), Kathy Staton (Third Base). — Time of Game -- 1:29. Attendance: 2,528 (Three-game championship session).

Roncall senior pitcher Ariane Kurtz fired the third no-hitter in IHSAA Softball State Finals history as Rebels breezed past the Blackford Bruins 3-0 Friday night.

The victory earned Roncalli (18-13) a title game shot at 4 p.m. Saturday at Cherry Tree Complex in Carmel against defending Class 2A state champion Andrean, which rallied past Evansville Mater Dei 4-3 in 9 innings.

Kurtz struck out 18 Bruins and issued just one free pass, as only two Blackford hitters reached base (one walk, one Roncalli error). Kurtz’s dominance included seven straight strikeouts and virtually an untouchable fastball.

Coach Jim Padgett’s Rebels, winners of six straight games, are in the state championship game for the first time in school history.

Roncalli scored all three of its runs in the bottom of the second inning. After Megan Crist scored an unearned run, junior Susie Chamberlin doubled down the left field line to score Amy Zapp. The third run came compliments of Ariane Kurtz, who scored the second of two unearned runs yielded by the Bruins.

Andrean (26-8-1) moved on as junior Sara Butterworth knocked in the winning run with two outs in the top of the ninth. The inning started with Kristen Stephan, who walked and advanced to second on a groundout. Butterworth then plated Stephan with a seeing-eyes single through the right side of the infield.

Annie Puntillo picked up her eighth victory this season in relief of Andrean’s Maria Pangere. Puntillo scattered four hits and struck out four in 5 2/3 innings of scoreless work.

Evansville Mater Dei finished a fine season 24-6. Prior to the loss to Andrean, the Wildcats had outscored their opponents 33-0 in state tournament play.

E- Hurst 2 (2); Montgomery (1); Kurtz (1). 2B- Chamberlin (1). HBP- Zapp. CS- Smith (1); Stephon (1) LOB- Blackford 2; Roncalli 6. Umpires — William Pebworth (Home Plate), Danny Halladay (1B), Dean Russell (3B). Time of Game: 1:35. Attendance: 828 (two-game session).

E — Simon, Messenger, Pangere, Kothe, Schmitt, Alstadt. 2B — Austgen, Buchanan. 3B — Simon. SB — Messenger, Alvardo 2, Kothe, Elsner. CS — Buchanan.HBP — Kothe. SH -- Gutowski, Buchanan, Lemberg, Adler. LOB — Andrean 8, Evansville Mater Dei 12. Umpires — Danny Halladay (Home Plate), Dean Russell (1B), William Pebworth (3B). Time of Game — 2:34. Attendance — 828 (two-game session).