North defeats GHS under the lights

Saturday, April 14, 2007
North Putnam's Jake Mullis follows through on a home run swing in the first inning of Friday's game against Greencastle. The Mullis long ball put the Cougars up 3-0 in the contest. They would eventually win 8-0.

BAINBRIDGE -- The North Putnam Cougar baseball team stopped the Tiger Cubs in their tracks under the lights at home Friday, 8-0.

"I was really pleased," North Putnam coach Norm Fish said after the contest.

Setting the tone for the Cougars early was shortstop Jake Mullis. Mullis came to the plate in the bottom of the first with Brayden Dahlstrom and J.T. Francies on base and crashed a three-run jack over the right-center field fence. The Cougars controlled the game from that moment on.

After scoring two more runs in the second, the North Putnam crowd saw some amazing base running in the third.

Tyler Trent and Griffen Dahlstrom found their way on base, then Brayden Dahlstrom came to the plate and smacked a shot toward the shortstop. After an errant throw to first, Trent and Griffen Dahlstrom did their best Superman impersonations as the came flying head first into home plate one after the other. Later in the inning, Brayden Dahlstrom scored to top off a three-run third.

Greencastle's pitching settled down and held the Cougars scoreless over the next three innings. Erick Burgeson threw five innings, recording seven strikeouts, eight hits and eight runs. Zac Remsburg came in to pitch an inning, getting one strikeout, no hits and no runs.

Brian Blaydes took the mound for North, notching three strikeouts, seven hits and no runs over five and one-third innings. Mullis relieved Blaydes in the sixth inning, facing five batters and striking out four.

With the April weather being not ideal, it has affected the Cougars in a major way.

"We haven't had our No. 3 pitcher out there much because of the weather," Fish commented. "Brian pitched really well."

Both teams had solid defensive efforts, combining for only four errors in less than perfect field conditions.

On the night, North Putnam recorded four stolen bases with Trent providing two, while Kendall Faust had Greencastle's only stolen base.

North started the game strong and that is exactly what coach Fish wants to see from his kids.

"We need to learn it's important to get off to a good start," Fish said.

"We need to hit the ball better. We're not driving the ball," he said.

North Putnam travels to Cloverdale Monday at 4:30 while Greencastle will host Cascade 4:30 Monday.

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