Central Noble Jr-Sr High School

The Central Noble Cougars are Regional Champions. In a thrilling nine-inning battle on Tuesday night, Central Noble defeated Woodlan 4-0 to capture the IHSAA Regional Championship, powered by a historic performance from senior pitcher Grace Swank. Swank was simply dominant in the circle, striking out an incredible 20 batters while allowing just two hits over nine shutout innings. She did not issue a walk and kept the Warriors off balance throughout the contest, delivering one of the most impressive postseason pitching performances in school history. For eight innings, both teams were locked in a scoreless duel as Swank and Woodlan pitcher Lucy McHenry traded zeros. The Cougars finally broke through in the top of the ninth inning when Swank helped her own cause with a double down the left field line. Molly Mann followed with an RBI single to center field, Kaitlyn Tilley added an RBI single to right field, and Katie Forker drove in another run as Central Noble erupted for four runs in the decisive inning. Tilley paced the Cougar offense with three hits in five at-bats. Swank, Mann, Forker, and Tilley each recorded an RBI in the championship victory. Gwen Swank added two walks as Central Noble showed patience at the plate, drawing five walks as a team. The regional title marks another milestone in an outstanding season for the Cougars, who combined timely hitting, stellar defense, and dominant pitching to secure the championship. With the victory, Central Noble advances to Semi State in Kokomo vs. Western Boone. First pitch is set for 11am. Behind the arm of Grace Swank and a resilient team effort, the Cougars proved once again that they are among the state's elite programs, bringing home the Regional Crown in memorable fashion.