Morgan Township won its first IHSAA title in any sport, capturing the 1999 Class A softball championship with a 1-0 triumph over South Spencer.

Senior Michelle Parker scampered home from third base on an infield sacrifice by Kristi Massner in the bottom of the sixth inning to give the Cherokees (25-3) the victory. South Spencer, also seeking the school's first IHSAA title in any sport, finished 24-11

Parker led off the with a shot through the middle for a single. She took second when Kim McGinley's liner to the shortstop was dropped by an error. After an out, Jody Lackey loaded the bases on an error by the third baseman. Massner's infield sacrifice on a ground ball to the second baseman followed, scoring Parker.

Junior pitcher Kim McGinley struck out eight South Spencer batters and limited the Rebels to hits, both singles. South Spencer did not get a runner past second base.

Morgan Township totaled just three hits as South Spencer pitcher Jill Harris went the distance with five strikeouts.

Jill Harris, a senior at South Spencer High School, was chosen by the IHSAA Executive Committee as the 1999 recipient of the Mental Attitude Award in softball.

Harris, who helped the Rebels to a 24-11 record and their first appearance in the IHSAA Softball State Finals, was a dominating pitcher throughout the season. It capped an outstanding high school career that saw her win four letters each in volleyball, basketball and softball.

Academically, Harris ranked No. 1 in her senior class of 111 students. She also was involved in a number of school extracurricular activities and is a volunteer in the community. Harris will attend the University of Notre Dame on a Lilly Endowment Scholarship.

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

E — Lessard, Sarver, Deweese. LOB — South Spencer 5, Morgan Township 6. SH —Smith. HBP -- Deweese, McGinley. SB -- Massner, Parker. Umpires Jay Hemingway (Plate), Lloyd Adams (first base), Tim Maguire (third base). — Time of Game — 1:10. Attendance: 2,528 (Three-game championship session).

South Spencer (24-10) and Morgan Township (24-3) advanced to the state championship game for the first time with Friday night semifinals victories in Class A at Hamilton Southeastern.

They will meet for the 1999 Class A state championship at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Cherry Tree Complex in Carmel.

Senior pitcher Jill Harris of South Spencer broke up a scoreless game with a three-run double over the leftfielder's head in the fifth inning to lead the Rebels over Eastern (Greentown) 3-0 in the opener. On the mound, Harris struck out three and allowed only three hits. All were singles.

Morgan Township followed with an eight-hit attack to eliminate 1998 Class A state runner-up Riverton Parke 4-0 in the nightcap.

Morgan Township gained the advantage early, scoring in the bottom of the first on junior pitcher Kim McGinley's double and an RBI single from Julie Inman. The Cherokees added another run in the second inning and two in the third. Inman was 2 of 3 at the plate and scored twice.

McGinley struck out 14 Riverton Parke hitters while holding the Panthers to two hits, both singles.

E — Manderfield, Howell, Sarver. 2B — J. Harris. LOB — Eastern 6, South Spencer 6. SH — Manderfield. SB -- C. Harris. Umpires — Woody Smith (Home Plate), Kathy Staton (1B), John Davis (3B). Time of Game — 1:30. Attendance — 784 (two-game session).

E — McElroy, Martin, Lackey. 2B — McGinley. SB — Nichols. WP — Nichols 2. SH -- Cleghorn. CS -- McElroy. LOB — Riverton Parke 3, Morgan Township 6. Umpires — Kathy Staton (Home Plate), John Davis (1B), Woody Smith (3B). Time of Game — 1:26. Attendance — 784 (two-game session).