Softball Sizzles in State Showdowns: A Recap of the 2025 IHSAA Finals
The 40th Annual IHSAA Softball State Finals were a full-course feast of pitching gems and high-stakes heroics at Purdue’s Bittinger Stadium, and all four champions brought the heat.
Class 1A Championship: North Newton 2, Clay City 0
History was made as North Newton captured the school’s first state title in any sport behind a record-setting performance from ace Sydney Rainford. Rainford mowed down 17 batters, controlling the tempo from the first pitch to the final out. Clay City had chances early, but couldn’t solve the Spartans’ dominant arm. Rainford was later honored with the Mental Attitude Award, capping a 24-3-1 season for the champs.
History was made as North Newton captured the school’s first state title in any sport behind a record-setting performance from ace Sydney Rainford. Rainford mowed down 17 batters, controlling the tempo from the first pitch to the final out. Clay City had chances early, but couldn’t solve the Spartans’ dominant arm. Rainford was later honored with the Mental Attitude Award, capping a 24-3-1 season for the champs.
Class 2A Championship: Tecumseh 2, Andrean 0
No. 1 Tecumseh added to its storied legacy by claiming its sixth softball crown and its first since moving to Class 2A. The Braves rode a one-hit shutout and crisp defense to shut the door on Andrean, finishing the season at 31-2. Tecumseh’s Katelyn Marx earned top honors with the Mental Attitude Award.
No. 1 Tecumseh added to its storied legacy by claiming its sixth softball crown and its first since moving to Class 2A. The Braves rode a one-hit shutout and crisp defense to shut the door on Andrean, finishing the season at 31-2. Tecumseh’s Katelyn Marx earned top honors with the Mental Attitude Award.
Class 3A Championship: Indianapolis Cathedral 5, Hanover Central 4
The most dramatic finish came in the 3A finale, where Cathedral fended off a late Hanover rally to secure its first softball state title. The Irish erupted early, then leaned on key defensive stops in the final inning to hang on. Cathedral’s Anna Moore was named Mental Attitude Award recipient after leading her team both offensively and on the field.
The most dramatic finish came in the 3A finale, where Cathedral fended off a late Hanover rally to secure its first softball state title. The Irish erupted early, then leaned on key defensive stops in the final inning to hang on. Cathedral’s Anna Moore was named Mental Attitude Award recipient after leading her team both offensively and on the field.
Class 4A Championship: Crown Point 2, Center Grove 0 (9 innings)
It was extra innings and extra excellence in 4A, where Crown Point’s bulldog mentality paid off. Pitcher Sophia Liezert threw a 16-strikeout masterpiece, and a clutch two-run blast in the ninth sent the Bulldogs to their second state title (first since 2017). Center Grove’s Sydney Herrmann was recognized with the Mental Attitude Award after a stellar season that ended just short.
It was extra innings and extra excellence in 4A, where Crown Point’s bulldog mentality paid off. Pitcher Sophia Liezert threw a 16-strikeout masterpiece, and a clutch two-run blast in the ninth sent the Bulldogs to their second state title (first since 2017). Center Grove’s Sydney Herrmann was recognized with the Mental Attitude Award after a stellar season that ended just short.