Cougars softball drops first game of the season to Western Boone

North Putnam freshman second baseman Lauren Johnston makes an easy play to nab the runner at first base during the fourth inning against Western Boone on Saturday. (Banner Graphic/GRANT WIEMAN)

The North Putnam softball team's surprising hot start came to an end on Saturday when the Cougars lost to visiting Western Boone17-5 in five innings.

NPHS (5-1) finished last season with just four wins.

Freshman Jenny Heron got the start for the Cougars, her first time beginning the game in the circle at the high school level.

"I've said before, if we score five or six runs a game, we'll win lots of games," NPHS coach Benny Ault said. "With Jenny starting for the first time on varsity, they hit the gaps and they hit the holes pretty hard and they got a good lead."

Sophomore Sabrina Surber had started the Cougars first five games, compiling a 5-0 record and 79 strikeouts. She served as the designated player on Saturday.

Heron had previously worked one inning in relief, but she got her first extended action against the Stars.

"They hit our gaps pretty hard," Ault said. "It was good for our defense to see some hits and get some things happening there way, versus just sitting there and watching Sabrina strike them out."

The Stars picked up 12 hits in four innings at the plate. While the game was at North Putnam, the Stars served as the home team because the game was scheduled at Western Boone.

Heron walked just three, but the Cougars didn't provide her much help as they committed six errors.

A number of players were fielding new positions. Among others, NPHS's regular catcher, junior Bailey Ault, was at first base, and senior shortstop Katie Welch was in right field.

"We got a little razzled and we started throwing the ball around more than what we should have," Ault said. "I moved some girls around to get some experience and see where they're going to be next year.

"We know that this is a sectional team that we're going to have to face, so why show them more than what we have to? We'll have better luck if we play them again."

While the defense struggled, the Cougars' offense had a few bright spots. Surber went two-for-three with a double and a run scored.

Lauren Campbell

Welch had a single and two runs scored and senior Lauren Campbell had two RBIs. Freshman Claire Sims had a single, an RBI and a run scored.

NPHS suffered its first loss on Saturday, but the hope is to be in a better position to succeed when the postseason comes around. Western Boone is in the same sectional as the Cougars.

In addition to gamesmanship, Surber was held out Saturday because the team has four games between Monday and Friday, all against either conference or sectional opponents, and she was resting up for the mid-season run.

North Putnam has a home-and-home with Cloverdale to start the week. The Cougars travel south on Monday for a 5 p.m. start.

At North Putnam
N. Putnam............020 21 -- 5 6 6 1
W. Boone..............098 0X -- 17 12 1 2