Hauser Softball Falls in Sectional Championship to Milan

Hauser first base and assistant coach Herby Asher consoles his daughter, senior Lucie Asher, following the last out of the sectional softball championship game. Hauser was defeated by Milan 7-2 at Rising Sun. May 29, 2025. Photo credit: Mike Asher.

Consecutive seasons Andy Brunner’s Lady Jets softball team came up short, in the sectional championship. Last season was a 2-1 loss to Brownstown Central, and Thursday to Milan (25-9) 7-2 at Rising Sun.

It only took five pitches for Milan Junior Kynadee Bode to retire the first three Hauser batters in the top of the first inning. Milan plated one run in the bottom of the first.

The Lady Jets threatened in the second inning when Kaitlyn Robinson singled to left, then advanced to second base from Moody’s sacrifice bunt. Haylin Campbell singled to left and advanced to second on throw in while Robinson was safe at third. Both were stranded as Bode was able to strike out Haven Hartwell and Allie Zapfe to end the inning.

In the bottom of the third inning with one out Milan’s Carpenter hits a bloop single to left, then Bode homered to left field to put the Lady Indians up 3-0. Milan scored an additional run in the inning to go up 4-0.

Hauser got on the board in the top of the fourth inning. Following Izzy Brunner’s pop fly out and Kaitlyn Robinson striking out, Cheyanne Moody gets a bunt single. Campbell doubles to left field to score Moody. The inning ended when Hartwell flied out to left.

Milan added to their lead after Hauser pitcher Hartwell retired the first two batters. A double and back-to-back singles put their lead to 6-1. Bode struck out Zapfe and Neveah Paetzel, followed by Lucie Asher’s ground out to second base to get out of the inning unscathed.

The seventh and final run for Milan came off the bat of McIntosh leading off their fifth inning with a three base error, and scored on a ground out to first base. Hauser’s final run came in the top of the sixth with a lead-off double off the bat of Lexi Hamilton. Brunner grounded out to second base and moved Hamilton to third. Hamilton scored on a sacrifice fly from Robinson.

A defensive highlight for Hauser came in the bottom of the sixth after lead-off hitter Peterson grounds out. Voss reached first on a bunt single. Carpenter’s bunt went directly to Hartwell who threw to first, then a perfect throw from Hamilton to Brunner covering third base cut down Carpenter trying to advance from first to third.

In the top of the seventh Hartwell walked on four pitches and advanced to second on a Zapfe sacrifice bunt. Paetzel two bunt attempts came up empty then proceeded to grounded out to second. The third and final out of the game came off a pop fly to center field from Asher.

Despite the loss, the Lady Jets had a great season. They ended their season with an overall record of 12- 7 and once again won the Mid-Hoosier Conference with an 11- 1 record. Hauser will lose four seniors: Lucie Asher, Izzy Brunner, Haylin Campbell, and Haven Hartwell.