VERSAILLES- In a game where ‘every single thing’ seemed to matter, Southwestern (Hanover) edged Brownstown Central in the Sectional Semifinal 1-0, behind a run in the first inning.

Austin Jenkins led the game off with a double for the Rebels, advancing to third on an error. Jamison Lewis then hit a fly ball, that hit the ground, allowing the only run of the game to score. Neither team recorded an official RBI in the game.

Brownstown Head Coach Duane Higgs spoke on the outcome for the team.

“It was a tough game, we did a lot of great things today,” Higgs said. “Lane was solid on the mound throughout the contest. He’s got a bright future ahead of him. We are excited to see him next year.”

The coach spoke about the difference in the contest.

“The defense played solid today as well,” he said. “They got a run in the first inning, and we did not. We had some opportunities, but the wind really killed us today.”

Lane Pendleton settled down after the first, rolling through the next five innings without much trouble. Pendleton threw six innings, allowing five hits, one run, one walk, and striking out seven batters.

Lewis started for Southwestern, shutting down the Braves throughout. The right-hander threw a complete-game shutout, allowing three hits and two walks, striking out 8 batters for the Rebels.

Southwestern outhit the Braves 5-3. Trent Lowery led the way for Brownstown with two hits, while Ethan Garland recorded the other.

The Braves picked up two of their three hits in the first frame. Brownstown stranded the bases loaded in the bottom of the frame, never finding that position again.

Brownstown found barrels and put the ball in play throughout, but the Rebels made plays, and each fly ball ran into a wall of wind. Grant Killey and Pierson Wheeler recorded the two walks.

Seniors Ethan Garland and Lowery spoke about their senior seasons at Brownstown Central.

“All throughout the season we had close games, and we seemed to never have stuff go our way,” Garland said. “It showed today, having plenty of solid contact, but the wind hurt us. We made a few small mistakes that hurt us, and sometimes that’s all it can be. That’s baseball.”

“We competed throughout. It was a little tough to start out because of the basketball team having so much success,” Lowery. said. “But we were able to find some success in the second half of the season.”

Garland spoke about his performance on Monday.

“I thought I had a decent hit in the top of the first,” he said. “We just weren’t able to string them together.”

Coach Higgs spoke about his group of seniors in Lowery, Garland, Chick Tiemeyer, and Keetan Burcham-Jones.

“They’ve been the heart and soul of this team for the past few years,” Higgs said. “What an excellent group of young men. Moving along to the workforce, college and Trent moving to play at the next level.”

“I couldn’t be happier in that group; how they prepare, how they lead,” he added. “A great group of young men.”

The Braves fell to 15-12, ending their 2023-24 season. Southwestern ended up winning their sectional final on Monday evening, defeating Milan, 8-4.

The Rebels will now face off with Providence in the regional final on Saturday at an unknown time.

South Ripley Sectional — Semifinal

Brownstown Central (15-12) vs. Southwestern Hanover (20-7)

Brownstown; 0

Southwestern; 1

Hits: Brownstown — Lowery, (2); Garland. Southwestern — Jenkins, (2); Traylor, Cook, Welsh. 2B: Southwestern — Jenkins, Welsh.

WP: Lewis, Southwestern. LP: Pendleton, Brownstown.