Cougars stay unbeaten with 4-0 win
CLOVERDALE -- The North Putnam Cougars traveled to south to take on their Western Indiana Conference and county rival Cloverdale in high school baseball Friday evening. North won the matchup against the Clovers 4-0 on blustery, snowy day. Both team's bats were about as cold as the weather. North Putnam tallied six hits, while the Clovers only managed one.
The pace of the game early on was quick as neither team reached base in the first inning. North managed to put two runners on base in the second inning, but freshman Jaren Rossock was able to escape the inning without giving up a run.
Brayden White was hit by a pitch to lead off the third inning. Duke Duff was then thrown out at first on a diving play by Nick Winders, but White advanced to second and Kyler Jeter sent him home with a single. Back to back doubles by Bobby Scheele and Jackson Kendall added another two runs and the Cougars led 3-0 after the third inning.
"Most people would be pretty bummed, but we just threw a freshman who hadn't pitched, another freshman and a sophomore for one out. We only gave up four runs to the best team in the county," Cloverdale head coach Tony Meyer said.
The Cougars were able to tack on another run in the fourth inning on an RBI single by Trae Straziscar. The Clovers were able to escape with no further damage as Parker Watts was able to come in relief for Rossock and get out of the inning.
The Cougars threatened again in the sixth, but had a runner thrown out at the plate, but the four runs were enough for the pitching rich Cougars.
Max Haste pitched five strong innings, White pitched 1 2/3 and Scheele closed out the game.
"The strength of this team is pitching. Pitching wins ballgames. I feel like we have an experienced team, a veteran team, but tonight, I didn't like our focus," North Putnam head coach Brian Jeter said.
The Clover offense couldn't get over the hump as they never put a runner in scoring position, but overall coach Meyer was pleased with his team.
"Defensively we were solid, pitching was great, if we could have hit tonight it might have been different. Coach Jeter has them (North Putnam) playing well and playing the right way, but shoot, I am pleased how well we played. I am happy as a clam," Meyer said.
The Clovers, now 1-3, will travel Saturday afternoon for a double header at White River Valley.
Coach Jeter was complimentary of his rivals.
"Cloverdale really showed me something tonight. They are a young team and coach Meyer has them playing well," Jeter said.
North Putnam is now 4-0 on the season and will host Covington in a non-conference double header Saturday.
At Cloverdale
North Putnam 0 0 3 1 0 0 0 -- 4
Cloverdale 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 -- 0
2B -- Scheele, Kendall
WP -- Haste
LP - Rossok