North Putnam wins 13-0 over Eels

Saturday, April 21, 2012

ROACHDALE -- In a weather-shortened game Friday night, the Eminence Eels were frozen solid by the North Putnam Cougars as the hosts poured on run after run, eventually winning 13-0 in just four and one half innings.

After nearly an hour of waiting, Cougar fans finally had the offensive outburst they have been waiting for. A quick 12-pitch top half of the first inning for Jake Haste gave way to a three-run outpour for the Cougars offense.

Coy Flynn started things off with a five-pitch walk, followed by Beau Green's hard grounder that was too much for the Eel shortstop who threw the ball away, allowing both runners to advance.

After a walk to Kyler Badten, Kaleb Belcher singled to right field, plating the first two runs of the game. Jordan Nauert grounded out to shortstop but Badten scored, putting a third run up for North Putnam.

"It was nice to finally see our kids string some hits together," head coach Norm Fish said following the game. "We've been up and down all season and this was a big confidence boost for our guys."

The visitors' first runner came in the second inning after a catcher's interference call, followed by the only hit, a soft roller to second base. Shane Beamen charged the ball but was unable to make a play on the wet playing surface. Haste managed to get the strikeout to end the only threat Eminence would make all game.

North Putnam put the game far out of reach in the second inning, scoring eight total runs in the frame and sending 12 batters to the plate. The Cougars offense used a mixture of line drives into the outfield, hard ground balls and walks to secure their sixth victory of the season.

Two more runs came in the bottom of the third before a perfect top of the fourth for Haste, at which point Eminence succumbed to the combination of cold weather and hot play by their adversaries.

"Jake Haste threw the ball especially well for us tonight," Fish added. "He went out there and pitched with purpose."

Austin Day and Brodie Perrine each had three runs batted in for North Putnam, while Flynn, Belcher and Nauert each contributed two. Badten reached twice on walks and Belcher, Perrine and Beamen each struck out.

Haste threw all four innings for the Cougars, striking out four and allowing just two base runners on one hit and no walks.

North Putnam will travel to South Putnam Monday at 4:30 p.m.

At North Putnam

Eminence 0 0 0 0 -- 0 1 3

North Putnam 3 8 2 X -- 13 9 0

WP -- Haste

LP -- Haymond

2B -- None; A. Day, B. Perrine, J. Haste

SB -- None; None