Cougars drop season opener

LEBANON -- The 2009 season got off to a rocky start for North Putnam baseball Saturday. The Cougars fell to Lebanon 10-9 on the road.

Tyler Watson powered the North Putnam offense going 2-for-4 with five RBIs and a grand slam. Mitchell Crum was 2-for-3 with three RBIs and Griffen Dahlstrom was 2-for-4. Dahlstrom, Watson and Kyle Alcorn all scored two runs each.

The game was a seesaw battle, with Lebanon going up early before Watson's long ball tied the game. The lead went back-and-forth before Lebanon was able to score to get the win.

Watson recorded five strikeouts on the mound for North Putnam after relieving Crum and Scott Hunt.

"We just make too many mental mistakes. We gave Lebanon too many extra outs in a couple innings and they took advantage of it," North Putnam head coach Norm Fish commented.

The Cougars will travel to Greencastle today for a 4:30 p.m. start.