SEAN BOSTON
Hutch Post
INMAN, Kan. — A six-run second inning powered the Inman Teutons to an 8-1 victory over Bennington on Tuesday, securing a spot in the Class 2-1A state softball tournament.
Inman advances to the state tournament, which will be held May 29-30 at the Green Sports Complex in Pratt. They enter the state tournament with a 22-1 record.
The Teutons outscored their three opponents in regional play, 36-3.
Ellie Thimmesch led the Teutons at the plate, going 3-for-3 with singles in the second, fifth and seventh innings. Inman racked up 14 hits overall, with Maddi Parsons also collecting three and both Taylor Froese and Adi Alcala recording multiple hits.
In the decisive second inning, Marlee Ballard drove in a run with a single, Allison Schrag cleared the bases with a three-run double, Alexis Noone added a sacrifice fly, and Sharley Leonhardt executed a sacrifice bunt to bring home another run.
Parsons added an RBI single in the third inning, while Noone and Schrag finished with two RBIs each.
Lyla Levin earned the win in the circle for Inman, allowing six hits and one run over seven innings. She struck out seven and walked none.
Bennington was led by Brooklyn Clark and Gracie Caswell, who each collected two hits. Clark drove in the Bulldogs' lone run. Haylee Blake took the loss, allowing eight runs on 14 hits over seven innings.
Inman defeated Ell-Saline (15-0) in the regional opener on Monday, before beating Salina-Sacred Heart, 13-2 in the regional semifinal.