Cougars clinch fourth straight WCC title

BAINBRIDGE -- With its 16-7 drumming of Monrovia Tuesday night, North Putnam clinched their fourth straight West Central Conference title.

The Cougars got behind early, trailing 4-3 after two innings but two runs in the third and a monster three-inning stretch to end the game lifted the Cougars to victory.

Kyle Rooker again led North Putnam at the plate, going 4-for-4 with two doubles and two triples. Rooker's mitt also made an impact on the game, as he made some impressive defensive plays in the field.

"Rooker played one of the best games I've seen," North Putnam head coach Norm Fish said. "Two of his extra base hits, he stretched with his hustle."

North Putnam's other two senior veterans J.T. Francies and Jordan Berry came up big. Francies was 4-for-5 at the plate, while Berry was 2-for-4 with two RBIs.

"The three seniors stepped up and took care of business," Fish commented. "This conference title belongs to them. That's just fitting for them to go 4-0 in conference championships."

Kyle Alcorn also wielded a hot bat, going 3-for-5 with two doubles and Griffen Dahlstrom was 3-for-3 and added a double of his own.

With the conference title in hand and the Putnam County Championship their next game, Fish thinks his boys are in a good place right now. Spring has finally delivered some beautiful weather and Fish and his crew are planning on taking full advantage of it.

"It's a fun time to be playing baseball," he mused.

North Putnam will compete in the Putnam County Championship at Greencastle with a 10 a.m. start time.

At North Putnam

Monrovia 040 100 0 -- 7 10 2

North Putnam 302 515 -- 16 16 1

WP -- Berry

3B -- Rooker 2

2B -- Rooker 2, Alcorn 2, Dahlstrom

Next game -- North Putnam will compete in the Putnam County Championship at Greencastle with a 10 a.m. start time.