4 things to know about the IHSAA Class 1A softball final between North Newton and Clay City

MOROCCO - North Newton softball looks to finish its storied season on top when it faces Clay City in the IHSAA Class 1A state championship Friday at 5 p.m. from Bittinger Stadium in West Lafayette.

East Carolina-bound pitcher Sydney Rainford has been the dominant force behind North Newton's success, but contributions have come elsewhere late in the playoffs.

What does North Newton have in its arsenal to win its first IHSAA state championship, and what's it up against in Clay City?

Here are four things to know about the IHSAA 1A state title between Clay City and North Newton:

How good is Rainford?

Wild to think how Kienbock's Disease nearly destroyed the career of Rainford, who would become one of the greatest athletes in the history of Newton County.

Her right arm has been responsible for achieving the many wins the Spartans have accumulated over her last four seasons.

From throwing socks at her parents' couch to find mastery over her fastball, curveball, and rise ball, Rainford has devastated hitters repeatedly.

Rainford, carrying a 0.48 ERA, is the Indiana state leader in strikeouts with 354 and has recorded 1,054 for her career. Opponents are hitting .110, and North Newton has allowed just two earned runs since May 13.

Her exploits as the plate are almost as impressive. Rainford is batting .447 with four home runs this season, including two during the playoffs and has stolen 26 bases without being caught.

When it comes to softball, calling Rainford the complete package might be an understatement.

June Busboom: the Spartan spy at third

Senior June Busboom has provided North Newton with key moments both with her defense at second based and at the plate.

Busboom bunted home a go-ahead run for North Newton during the eighth inning of its sectional championship against Tri-County. A week later, she came through and provided a defensive boost, recording all three outs on the road in the IHSAA regional championship against Westville.

North Newton will rely on Busboom's defense again on Friday, as a rain storm is expected in the forecast and could alter the conditions of Bittinger Stadium.

Freshmen Oxley, Klemz and Culbrith contribute

North Newton's path towards state has seen key contributions from shortstop Caylee Oxley, catcher Rylee Klemz, and outfielder Addison Culbrith.

The additions of Oxley, Culbrith, and Klemz have come as North Newton is forced to deal with the reality of not having their ace pitcher after Friday.

Fortunately, this generation of upcoming players has learned the culture set by Rainford and all three play club softball in some capacity.

Oxley is batting .372 and carries a team-leading .542 on-base percentage, has swatted three home runs, and has stolen 25 bases.

Klemz is becoming a college prospect both with her skills as a defensive catcher and a timely hitter who leads North Newton with 30 RBIs in 2025.

Culbrith has found her swing during the IHSAA playoffs and hit her first career home run in the IHSAA semi-state title game against Southwood, while her sister, senior Paige Culbrith, hit two home runs.

North Newton, with its current freshmen trifecta, should continue to find itself in sectional contention for the next three years.

Clay City's power habit

Clay City carries a surplus of power hitting and has swatted 32 home runs as a team entering Saturday. Junior utility Faith Mitchell has slammed 10 home runs, senior Abigale Shearer has eight, and left-handed hitting third baseman Karlee Smith has hammered six.

The combined forces of Mitchell, Shearer and Smith could be enough to derail North Newton's title hopes. Along with 32 home runs, Clay City has a team has swatted 51 doubles and scored nine different times.

While Clay City's offense has its advantages against its competition from the south, the Eels have struggled against caliber programs. Clay City lost 6-4 to Riverton Parke on April 22, and with pitcher Lizzy Sinders, produced six strikeouts and allowed nine hits with two errors.

Defense could be a determining factor if conditions become slick Friday, with rainstorms expected to hit by the start of the weekend.

Ethan Hanson is the sports reporter for the Journal & Courier in Lafayette. He can be reached at ehanson@jconline.com, on Twitter at EthanAHanson and Instagram at  ethan_a_hanson.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: North Newton IHSAA 1A softball state championship preview against Clay City