NPMS baseball defeats Cloverdale in opener

The North Putnam middle school baseball team defeated Cloverdale 14-4 Friday night in the season opener for both teams. It was the season opener for both squads.

Cougar eighth graders Jake Werth and Jerry Shepherd combined to throw six strong innings. Werth, who started the game, pitched three innings, gave up three runs, walked two and struck out five. Shepherd also pitched three innings, allowed one run, walked one and struck out seven.

The Cougars scored nine runs in the bottom of the second inning and ended the game with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning when seventh grader Brian Quates scored on a wild pitch.

Eighth grader Brandon Kimmel had one of the Cougars' four hits and knocked in two runs.

Statistics were not available for Cloverdale.

The team will return to action this Saturday for a doubleheader in Danville.