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Cougars win home opener against Miners
ROACHDALE -- A bitterly cold and extremely windy day in Roachdale greeted the North Putnam baseball team Saturday but the Cougars kept their focus and resilience and defeated Linton-Stockton 6-5 after falling behind in the seventh.
The game started an hour late due to the JV game in which the Miners won 16-15 after the Cougars pushed Linton to the limit.
North Putnam was down 16-9 going into the final inning and was only one hit away from tying the game.
Both teams had to quickly get adjusted to the 30 mph winds, which had not subsided once the varsity game started.
The Miners struck first with two runs in the second inning and North Putnam responded with a run of their own. When Bobby Scheele came home thanks to some good base running and thanks to Kaine Benge and Max Haste both getting on base.
North Putnam held LSHS in the next two innings going three up and three down twice in the third and fourth. It wasn't until the fifth inning that the Miners managed another run in the fifth making the score 3-1.
But North Putnam again responded with a good inning, At the top of the order Hayden Rudes, running for Brayden White took home plate on a passed ball sliding into home just as the ball was thrown in. Later in the inning Kyler Jeter was knocked in by Benge on a single to tie the game at 3.
The Miners then did their best to take control of the game. LSHS earned a run in the sixth and then held the Cougars scoreless. Linton then added its fifth run in the seventh.
The Cougars needed two runs to stay alive and didn't disappoint. Two walk put Scheele and Jackson Kendall on base then two singles brought them home. The first by Haste and the second by Duke Duff. Unfortunately for Cougar fans NPHS couldn't earn another run to end the game and get out of the extreme wind.
However the Cougars held down the fort going three up and three down which gave North Putnam a chance to take the win. They were down 5-5 in the eight inning with the wind as strong as ever. Linton Stockton intentionally loaded the bases after a walk and a strike out in order to use the force out at home.
After the second out it came down to Duke Duff with a loaded infield with a chance to take the win. With one pitch Duff knocked one to right field to bring home Scheele and the win.
North Putnam's next game will be Tuesday at Covenant Christian.
Linton Stockton 020 011 10 -- 5 7 3
North Putnam 010 020 21 -- 6 14 3
WP: Kendall
Batting
1B: Scheele (4), Haste,Kendall, Jeter (2),Benge (2) White, Haste (2), Duff (3) 2B: McPherson
RBI: Duff (2), Haste (1), Benge (1)