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How Texas Tech softball helped Westfield pull off Sectional 8 title win

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ZIONSVILLE — Westfield softball won its first sectional championship in program history three years ago, completing a rags-to-riches rebuild that saw them go 46-80 between 2015-21 with zero conference wins during a four-year stretch.

Following back-to-back 12-13 finishes, the No. 14 Rocks climbed back above .500 this season and on Thursday, they completed the Class 4A Sectional 8 gauntlet for the second time since 2023 with a 3-1 win over No. 8 Noblesville.

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"This is unbelievable," first-year coach Maddie Moore said. "Where we started in September to now, oh my gosh. … It's an incredible feeling after seeing what they put in all offseason, the little things and the confidence — they were excited to play. It's just unbelievable. I have no words."

Westfield steadily improved this season, holding its own against a typically brutal Hoosier Crossroads schedule before demonstrating a flair for the dramatic through the first two rounds of sectionals with squeeze-bunt victories over upset-minded Zionsville and Carmel on back-to-back nights.

In preparation for Thursday's rematch against her alma mater, Moore took a page from the Texas Tech softball program.

"Texas Tech practices on top of a bench about this tall," senior outfielder Makayla Watson explained as she leaned down and held her hand around her shins. "So (assistant coach) Matt Moore built one yesterday morning and we just practiced rise balls, seeing the top of the ball and pounding it into the ground."

It was a change in approach, Maddie Moore said, referring back to a 9-2 loss on May 1 wherein Millers pitcher Addie Retzinger struck out 13. The Rocks needed to just put the ball in play and pass the bat.

"We know they have a few infielders who don't play their primary position and their outfielders can catch the ball," Watson added. "If we can put it in the ground and force them to make plays, that works best for us." 

Were you guys bought in as soon as Matt showed up with the bench?

"Oh yeah," Watson replied. "I was excited to use it."

Westfield's approach at the plate was neither flashy nor overpowering: Only one of its seven hits went for extra bases.

It was methodical.

And it was darn effective.

Watson and Sofia Easterhaus led off the game with back-to-back singles, then came in to score on sacrifice flies by Reese Mahannah and Olivia Sampia, respectively.

Retzinger didn't allow another run until the seventh, when a lead-off single by No. 9 hitter Alyssa Ayers set up Easterhaus for a one-out sacrifice fly that ran the score to 3-1.

"Station-to-station softball," Moore smiled.

Westfield's hitters were quick to settle in and so too was Sampia in the circle. The sophomore hurler worked around a lead-off double by slugger Haley Schatko in the first, stranded the bases loaded in the second.

Sampia went 1-2-3 through the third, but "twisted her hand" fouling off a pitch in the bottom of the inning. As she signaled to the dugout for help, Mackenzie Delph began steeling her nerves. 

"I tried to stay collected and calm, because I trust myself and all my pitches," said the junior hurler, who had to quickly warm-up again.

"That was a hard moment for Mack to come into and I am so proud of her for just going in and fighting," Moore added. "I told her, I just need you to go in there and fight, because they're going to fight behind you."

Delph focused on attacking the outside corner, then once she got up in the count, she started going back inside.

The righty was hitting all her spots, freshman catcher Carlynne Schrock said of Delph, who allowed one run on three hits with two walks and zero strikeouts. "I was very happy about that, because they're a good hitting team. It was great to see her work on that." 

Delph pitched her game and trusted her defense, which was flawless, registering 21 putouts and six assists on its 27 total chances.

It's the third straight error-free game by Westfield, which has committed multiple errors only once in the past nine games. 

"My dad and I are defense gurus. I love softball, I love hitting, but defense — I'll still go out and shag with the kids," Moore smiled. "We talked about how routine plays win and lose games. 'I don't need you to make an ESPN catch, I need you to field the ball right to you and make the throw. They got so confident within that and that's what they did." 

"It just came naturally," she added. "We're in a good place defensively." 

Now the 2026 Rocks look to take the next step and claim the program's first regional crown. Standing in their way is Western (20-8), which is up in 4A due to the success factor and boasts a pair of record-setting talents in Kentucky signee Brynley Erb and Michigan signee Lucy George.

Westfield will host the Panthers at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen. Get IndyStar's high school coverage sent directly to your inbox with the High School Sports newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IHSAA softball: Westfield beats Noblesville in Sectional 8 championship

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