Putnam County tennis rivals square off Wednesday

The two boys' tennis teams of Putnam County squared off in a match that would serve as a tune-up for both teams as the end of the regular season approaches.

While the match wasn't as lopsided as the score would indicate, particularly the last match between the No. 2 doubles, the Tigers Cubs beat the Eagles 5-0.

Christian Ritchey, Greencastle's No.1 playerr was out with an illness, leaving Greencastle to shuffle some players around to gain the best competitive advantage.

"It's always difficult to replace any player that is playing at the varsity level," GHS Kevin Rowe said. "Christian has been playing great for us this year. So it's tough to replace him our lineup. We're hoping to get him back, if not tomorrow then by the weekend."

Due to the missing piece the Tiger Cubs rotated Jed Fajt into the No. 1 slot and brought in Jake Mangrum to the No. 2 singles slot. This allowed Logan Wood to move into the varsity level and play alongside Nathan Gobert in the No. 2 doubles.

All in all, Rowe made the best decisions because the Tiger Cubs were unfazed and still took the victory against the talented Eagles.

"I thought we played competitive tonight," South Putnam coach Zack Love said. "I thought we came out competing well. We were just a little overmatched and fell behind early. We kept trying to climb back in it, but we came up short. Greencastle's got a good program."

Love said his team is using this week as a preparation week. The Eagles have played three consecutive matches on the week before sectional play begins.

"It's definitely tough," Love said. "We've got to roll with it. Our schedule is a little bit back loaded. We'll see how the guys come out tomorrow. Hopefully they still have got some energy in those legs."

Greencastle was able to get quick wins in the singles matches at the No. 1 and No. 3 slots.

"Our biggest strength is that we play as a team," Rowe said. "Individually I think we are still a team out there. Jed Fajt's been playing well. He's only lost a few matches this year so he's a constant and usually getting us a point. Christian and Jason are great players and we are hoping they pull it all together once sectionals start next week."

Fajt took care of business against South Putnam's Collin Berry, winning 6-2 and 6-1. Eagle Aaron Cole struggled against Jason Ummel with Ummel taking the win in two games 6-1 and 6-0.

The doubles matches saw some competitive play with Greencastle's No. 1 doubles teamwinning some close matches 6-4 and 6-2. South Putnam's Zane Crosby and Ben Albright took a tough loss to Kaleb Flemming and Adam Gerard. In the No. 2 doubles match Gobert and Wood matched up well and pulled out a 6-1, 6-3 win against Jacob Lorimer and Nick Chambers.

The most exciting match of the night was in the No. 2 singles court where Mangrum of Greencastle had to hold off a surging Josh Stewart to claim the win and the sweep for Greencastle.

"I think my mental game was a lot better," Mangrum said. "Being by myself I was able to keep my composure and keep my mental game strong. (Stewart) did a great job. I was playing well and he was just coming right back at it. We had some really good rally and some good points. It was just a great match."

The match stretched on long after the rest of the varsity had taken a seat and finally ended with Mangrum winning the set, 6-1, 6-7 (TB 7-2), 6-4.

"You've just got to stay focused," Stewart said. "When the other player is outplaying you, you will have to stay focused and just keep striving."

Stewart said despite the loss, he was really glad to have played a rival in such a tough and competitive match, a match that had the entire crowd fixated on the outcome.

"As the match went on I started to improve on my volleys," Stewart said. "I started to get a lot more of my serves in. I just kept on returning his shots. I'm glad I got to play Jake tonight. We've been friends for a while and I finally got to play him. It was a fantastic match."

GHS took the JV victory 4-1.

South Putnam's next match is at home against South Vermillion on Monday, while Greencastle will play Danville at home on Saturday.

GHS At Owen Valley Thursday

Jed Fajt (loss) 6-0,6-0

Jake Mangrum (loss) 6-4, 6-3

Jason Ummel (won) 6-0, 6-0

Fleming/Gerard (won) 6-1, 6-0

Gobert/Wood (won) 6-0, 6-0

Ramey (won)8-2

Sp At South Putnam vs Linton-Stockton

Collin Berry (won) 6-2,6-2

Josh Stewart (won) 6-1, 6-1

Aaron Cole (won) 6-01 7-5

Albright/Crosby (won) 6-2, 6-1

Lorimer/Chambers (loss) 6-6 (TB 8-6), 6-3

Noah Emmerick (won) 8-0

Douglass/Drawbaugh (won) 8-0