Roncalli head girls softball coach Dave Lauck wanted to make sure his starting players each got at least two plate appearances in its sectional opener. Little did he dream that those two at-bats would come in the first inning.

The Rebels sent 20 batters to the plate in the bottom of the first inning, scoring 13 runs and the game was essentially over as it went on to defeat Howe Academy  in five innings to earn a trip to the semifinals against Bishop Chatard on Wednesday at 5 p.m. A trip to the championship game is on the line against either Northwest or Beech Grove.

Chatard coach says team is ready

Bishop Chatard head coach Pat Miles know what to expect when the two teams meet in two days. Freshman pitcher Kendra Lynch led Roncalli to a 2-0 in the only meeting during the regular season between both teams. 

"We will have to be on top of our game if we want to have a chance to be Roncalli," Miles said. "We have to go out and just not make any mistakes and get some timely hits."

Roncalli head coach Dave Lauck said his team is ready for sectional competition.

"Our girls are ready to go, and we have seen all kinds of pitchers this year and we just do not have any excuses if we do not show up in any game," Lauck said. "We just need to play our game and take it one game at a time."

Rebels say they are ready too

Lauck said his team won't overlook Bishop Chatard after its close meeting back in April.  

"Bishop Chatard is tough and played us very close," Lauck said. "We have only scored 10 runs against them in our last three games, and they are well-coached and will have us well-scouted for the game."

Lauck said junior Kristen Thomas will start for the Rebels and he is confident in her ability to keep the Bishop Chatard batters at bay.

"She is a hot pitcher right now," Lauck said.

The Rebels softball coach is confident that a member from his pitching staff will be able to come in to help guide his team if Thomas runs into any trouble.

"Lynch got the win in the first game and did a good job shutting down the Bishop Chatard bats," Lauck said."We have the luxury to bring in Thomas or another pitcher if needed."

Lauck said the depth in his pitching rotation and its performance, as well as it defense so far this season has helped build his confidence in the staff.

"Our pitching and defense has just been phenomenal so far this season," Lauck said. "We have lost only six games and it was either due to our mental errors or the opponents pitcher threw a very good game."