Published: May 03, 2008 11:57 pm            

PREP ROUNDUP: Taylor, TC split twinbill

McMillen, Peru sizzle in Northfield golf tournament

Tri-Central and Taylor split a wild baseball doubleheader at Taylor’s Phares Field with the Trojans winning the opener 9-7 and the Titans taking the closer 17-16 in nine innings.

In the first game, TC rallied from a 5-4 deficit by scoring five runs in the top of the seventh, which gave the Trojans enough of a cushion to withstand a two-run rally by Taylor in the bottom of the frame.

Andrew Bilby went 3-for-4 with two singles, a double, two runs and two RBI to lead the TC offense and Josh Copp had a triple and two runs. For Taylor, Tyler Barnes went 3-for-4 with three singles, Seth Vautaw went 2-for-3 with two singles, and losing pitcher Jake Leicht hit a two-run homer.

“It was a tough day to play baseball with the wind and it was cold,” TC coach Sean Swan said. “I was very pleased with our performance in the first game, for us to come back after giving up the lead in the bottom of the sixth. It was good to see our kids really respond and get it done in the seventh. [Starter] Bilby pitched really well and kept us in the game; didn’t have his good stuff but still managed to keep us in the game.”

Trevor Davis pitched the last 12/3 innings for the win in the opener.

In the closer, Taylor scored a run in the bottom of the seventh to knot the game at 13-all and force extra frames. After a scoreless eighth, Tri-Central put three on the board in the top of the ninth to take the advantage, but Taylor rallied with four in the bottom of the frame for the win.

Tyler Barnes had a key two-RBI double in the ninth for Taylor before Evan Schroeder won it with a line-drive single over the shortstop’s head to score Leicht.

Vautaw went 4-for-5 to lead Taylor in the second game, hitting a single, two doubles and a triple. Barnes had two doubles, and Schroeder was 2-for-2 with two singles.

For the Trojans, Chris Pavey was 4-for-5 with four singles, two runs scored and two RBI, Blake Burnett was 4-for-7 with a double, three singles and two RBI, Tyler Burke homered, hit two singles and had two runs and two RBI, Josh Copp went 2-for-3 with a homer, a double and four RBI, and Trevor Davis had a double and a single and scored twice.

“They were definitely wild,” Taylor coach Jeremy Luna said of the games. “Different game, same story from us. We make some costly errors and extend the innings for them by making errors or walking. We give away too many outs and don’t do what we need to at the plate sometimes. It’s been a rollercoaster for us, but we’ve got to keep plugging along and get better every game.”

For Tri-Central, there were positives from the second game despite the loss.

“It was a tough loss but I was pleased with the way our kids kept fighting,” Swan said.

Taylor (7-8) visits Peru Tuesday. Tri-Central (3-11) hosts Tipton Monday.

Kats sweep Bearcats

Kokomo swept Muncie Central in a North Central Conference doubleheader at Highland Park. The Wildkats whipped the Bearcats 15-4 in five innings in the opener and then took a 5-0 win in a regulation seven innings in the closer.

“We hit the ball well in both games, but in one game we hit and scored and then in the second game we pitched well. It was two different games, but it’s great to get two wins,” Kokomo coach Steve Edwards said.

In the first game, T.J. Weir rocked a three-run home run and Bryce Robinson cracked a two-run homer to lead the Kats to the 15-4 win. Tyler Imbierowicz, Nick Griggs and Nolan Sanburn each went 2-for-3.

Taylor Carpenter pitched four innings to earn the win. Colton Summers offered an inning of relief.

“There were some positives, but I really expected more from the team,” Edwards said of the opener.

In the second game, Summers pitched the first two innings before having to leave for a family obligation. Patrick Hopkins relieved and worked the final five innings. Hopkins (2-0) allowed just two hits, struck out seven and walked one.

Robinson went 2-for-2 and drove in two runs and Weir had a double and a single.

“We had 10 hits and only scored five runs. I’m a little disappointed in that,” Edwards said, noting the Kats took an early lead and then seemed to shift into cruise control. “Fortunately, Patrick Hopkins pitched another great game. [Hopkins] and Summers combined on a two-hitter and struck out eight. You can’t ask for more from that part of the game.”

Kokomo (10-7, 5-1 NCC) hosts Marion on Tuesday, then visits Marion on Wednesday.

Panthers sweep Hot Dogs

Western whipped Frankfort in a doubleheader on the Hot Dogs’ diamond. The Panthers took an 8-2 win in the lid-lifter and a 17-5 win in the second game.

In the first game, Garrett Spall tossed a complete game to lead the Panthers to the win. Spall (3-0) allowed three hits, struck out six and walked two.

Marc Slick led the offensive charge by going 4-for-4 and driving in two runs. Slick’s haul of hits included a solo home run and a double. Also for the Panthers, Mikel Hartman connected for a two-run homer, Thad Hall cracked a two-run double and Kevin Hall and Mike Jakubowicz each chipped in two hits.

The Panthers continued to swing the bats well in the second game, rocking the Hot Dogs for 18 hits in the 17-5 win. Mark Reel cracked a three-run homer and finished 3-for-4 to lead the hitting party. Matt Reida also went 3-for-4, Tyler Sanders went 2-for-4 with a solo homer, Jewell and Slick each had a double and a single and Hartman chipped in two singles. Slick drove in two runs.

Jakubowicz pitched three innings and Aaron Workman followed with four innings of relief.

“We’re getting some good pitching performances from kids who had to step up because of injuries,” Western coach Ty Calloway said. “Spall pitched his second complete game [in the opener], then Jakubowicz made his first start of the season. He gave us three innings and Workman came in and did his usual steady job.

“We’re starting to get all phases together, which is what you want to see. We’re looking forward to next week.”

Western (10-2) visits Westfield on Monday, then heads to Northwestern on Tuesday for a big Mid-Indiana Conference game.

Eastern wins two

Eastern crushed Rossville 18-8, then beat Pioneer 6-2 in games at Royal Center.

Against Rossville, Michael Moreno went 4-for-6 with a double and three RBI to lead the Comets’ offensive explosion. Brandon Hainlen rapped three singles, Tyler Harnish had a double and a single and Wes Horner chipped in a pair of base knocks.

“We started out a little slow, but once we got going, we started putting some timely hits together and scoring some runs. We drove in the guys who were on base instead of leaving them out there like we had in past games,” Eastern coach Steve Swinson said.

Harnish earned the win with four innings of relief. He allowed just two hits.

Against Pioneer, freshman Clayton Smith turned in a solid pitching performance to lead the Comets to the 6-2 win. Smith scattered eight hits over 61/3 innings. Moreno relieved and recorded the final two outs.

“It was a very good effort for Clayton. He did a nice job keeping the ball down and getting ground balls,” Swinson said. “We played solid defense all day — had no errors in either game. That also was a key.”

Eastern managed just three hits against Pioneer, but Joel Hoover had a big one — a two-run homer.

Eastern (4-9) hosts Cass on Tuesday.

BOYS GOLF

Peru wins Northfield Invite

The Bengal Tigers shot a season-best 306 to take first place in the 11-team Northfield Invitational played at Honeywell G.C. in Wabash. Harrison (319) was second, Floyd Central (327) was third and Oak Hill (340) was fourth. Maconaquah (372) was ninth.

Peru’s John McMillen conquered the course with a 2-under 69 to take medalist honors.

“It’s his career low,” Peru coach Doug Muzzillo said of McMillen. “He really finished strong last year and had glimpses this year, but [Saturday] he really put it together for all 18 holes.”

Also for the Bengals, Ethan Eckelbarger and Derek Mullikin both shot 78 to tie for fifth, and Terry Smith and Taylor Smith both shot 81 to tie for 10th, meaning all five Tigers got medals.

“We kind of had a little off week here [last week] and I was kind of concerned going into the conference next week, but we hit on all cylinders [Saturday],” Muzzillo said.

The Mid-Indiana Conference tourney is next Saturday at Chippendale. Muzzillo noted that Mullikin broke 80 for the first time and the Smiths were very close to that mark.

SOFTBALL

Taylor sweeps Northfield

The Titans clicked on all phases, crunching host Northfield 13-0 in six innings in the first game, then posting a 15-2, five-inning victory in the closer.

Brittany Parsley gave up just one hit in the first game while walking one and striking out four as she recorded a shutout victory. Kylie Weeks led the Titan offensive with two triples, a single and five RBI. Shelby Wall added two doubles, Hilary Farmer had a double and two RBI, and Brooklyn Lemons had a single and a double.

In the closer, Lemons took to the circle to pitch Taylor to victory. She allowed just one earned run and two hits. She didn’t give up a walk and struck out three. Wall supplied the power with five RBI, hitting a single, a double and a home run. Farmer added two singles and a double and four RBI, Krystal Boes had a double and three singles, and Megan Steward had a single and a double.

“Brittany Parsley came in in the first game, pitched a really good game and she kept the ball where she needed to,” Taylor coach Brian Weeks said. “She didn’t strike out a lot of kids but she made them hit it poorly a lot of the time. I don’t think they had a single ball out of the outfield the first game.

“We hit the ball well as a team. I had a couple girls that have been struggling at the plate that came up and did really well. Shelby Wall hit the ball both games and defensively made some big plays. It was just a good day all around for us. Brooklyn Lemons did a really nice job.”

Comets reach semifinal

Class 2A No. 4-ranked Eastern dropped a 5-3 decision to the host Indians in the semifinal round of the Twin Lakes Invitational.

Brookelyn Smith hit a three-run homer in the fourth inning to break a scoreless tie, but a defensive meltdown in sixth inning cost the Comets the game.

“We were riding on the three-run homer in the fourth inning until the six errors in the sixth inning. We couldn’t make a play that inning,” said Eastern coach Jerry Haines, whose squad dropped to 15-3. “We had the bases loaded in the seventh inning, but Kaitlyn Smith hit a line drive that they caught to end the game. It was a good weekend. We played four good, quality teams.”

Kyli Wise led Eastern at the plate with two singles. Tristan Dykes was the losing pitcher.

Earlier Saturday, Eastern beat Class 2A No. 2 Hanover Central (5-4) and Andrean (5-1) to finish pool play with a perfect 3-0 record.

Eastern led Hanover Central 3-1 after the opening inning, but the teams went into the seventh knotted at 4-all. After the Wildcats failed to score in the top of the seventh, the Comets struck quickly in the bottom of the frame. Jessica Rainey led off with a triple. The Wildcats intentionally walked the next two batters to set up a possible double play at any base, but Kaitlyn Smith drew a walk to force home the game-ending run.

Brookelyn Smith hit a three-run homer for the Comets and Rainey and Maddox each had two hits. Dykes tossed a five-hitter, struck out 10 and walked one.

Eastern led all the way against Andrean. Wise cracked a double and a single to lead the Comets’ 12-hit explosion against the 59ers. Maddox rapped three singles, Regan Cole cracked a triple and a single and Rainey and Lyndsi Pence each had a double.

Dykes pitched a gem against the 59ers. She allowed just four hits, struck out 15 and walked none.

Western drops 3

Western dropped three games in pool play at the Twin Lakes Invitational. Lowell beat Western 7-0 on Friday, then on Saturday the Panthers fell 4-2 to Frontier and 8-2 to Harrison. Against Frontier, Western scored twice in the seventh but ended the game with the bases loaded. In the game against Harrison, Western led 2-0 after the top of the third inning but the Raiders rallied for three runs in the third and five in the fourth.

The Panthers struggled at the plate with the exception of Brittani Snyder. She had five singles in the tourney, accounting for half of Western’s 10-hit total. Kristen Larrick added a triple vs. Frontier and Lindsey Clouse had a triple vs. Harrison.

The weekend was a setback for the Panthers (9-7), who had won seven straight entering the tournament.

“Obviously, we came off of a week where we were stroking the ball pretty well in our previous three games, and our hitting kind of went south over the weekend,” Western coach Jim Clouse said. “I don’t have an explanation why we struggled, but we struck out 33 times over the three games. The pitching was a little bit better than what we’d seen.

“We were kind of excited to see where we had come [from the winning streak] and it’s disappointing to play that way.”

Western hosts Northwestern on Tuesday.

GIRLS TENNIS

Kokomo 4, New Castle 1

Kokomo 3, Anderson 2

The Wildkats won two North Central Conference matches at New Castle to even their league mark at 3-3 and improve to 9-4 overall.

In the New Castle match, the Kats swept the singles points as Emily Coffman won 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 at No. 1, Heather Hemmeger won 6-1, 6-1 at No. 2 and Alex Beechy won 6-1, 6-2 at No. 3. Also, the No. 2 doubles team of Sam Causey and Brooke Cantrell won 6-4, 6-1.

Against Anderson, the doubles teams led the way as No. 1 tandem Katie Reynolds and Emma Ferrell cruised 6-1, 6-0 and at No. 2 Causey teamed with Kate Bolinger to win 7-5, 6-2. Hemmeger also came out on top with a 6-2, 6-0 win at No. 2 singles.

“The conference, top to bottom this year is pretty solid so to pick up two wins in a row [is important],” Kokomo coach Rob Leavitt said. “That’s something we’ve struggled with. We’ll win one match and struggle another match. [Saturday], we played well all day long. Everybody definitely pulled their weight.”

Delphi Invitational

Twin Lakes (32) ran away with the title in the eight-team competition which featured play at two singles positions and two doubles positions. Guerin Catholic (18), Western (10), Carroll (9), Delphi (6), Benton Central (3), Rensselaer (2) and Taylor (2) rounded out the field.

Ashleigh Wheeler led Western with a second-place showing at No. 2 singles. Wheeler beat Rensselaer’s Katie Phillips (6-0, 6-0) and Guerin’s Ashley Merryman (6-4, 6-2) to reach the championship round. There, Twin Lakes’ Betsy Adams beat Wheeler 6-4, 6-3.

Also for Western, Kait Flederbach finished 1-1 and in third place at No. 1 singles, Alexis Hadden and Amanda Hudson went 1-1 and finished third at No. 2 doubles and Allysha DiPasquale and Megan Hiss went 1-2 and finished seventh at No. 1 doubles.

“The conditions were awful with the wind and the cold. The girls played very well considering the conditions,” Western coach Jerry Bradley said. “We had to move our singles players up a spot because our No. 1 player wasn’t available [Saturday]. We moved Kait Flederbach up to No. 1 and Ashleigh Wheeler up to No. 2 and they performed really well.”

Taylor’s best effort came at No. 2 singles where Amy Lipchik posted a 2-1 record. She dropped her first match against a Delphi player then rebounded to beat players from Benton Central and Carroll to take fifth.

“Amy played really well, and I think [Western coach] Jerry [Bradley] would have mentioned that weather conditions were probably as bad as we’ve had with the wind and the cold.”

Pedro Velazco, Bryan Gaskins and Kenny Hetzler compiled this roundup.

        

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