NP baseball still unbeaten, showdown against Cloverdale looms on Monday

Beau Green

BOONE -- The North Putnam baseball team is scoring runs in volume in the early season, a trend that continued on Saturday when the Cougars won at Western Boone 11-2.

NPHS (5-0-1, 2-0 WCC) got four strong innings from senior pitcher Kyler Badten to start the game. He allowed two runs -- one earned -- and struck out five.

Senior Beau Green picked up the win for the Cougars by pitching the final three scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out four.

NPHS got on the scoreboard first in the second inning. Senior Jake Haste reached base on an error then stole second. After junior Jordan Nauert advanced Haste on an infield single, Haste scored on a wild pitch.

The Cougars broke the game open in the fifth inning. They drew three walks to open the inning, then freshman Kyler Jeter ripped a 3-2 single to score a pair.

Morgan Hensley had an RBI and got his first hit of the season.

Senior Michael Herrmann continued his hitting streak, going two-for-four with two RBIs.

The win was the fifth of the season for North Putnam, which put them one back of Monday's opponent, Cloverdale, for most in the West Central Conference.

The Clovers (6-1, 4-0 WCC) host North Putnam on Monday at 5 p.m., then the teams flip on Tuesday.

The early-season showdown will likely be key in deciding the WCC regular season title as the two teams appear to be the frontrunners for the championship.

Haste (2-0) will get the start for NPHS on Monday, likely against Cloverdale senior Justin Wilson (3-0).

At Western Boone
N. Putnam..............011 060 3 -- 11 7 2
W. Boone...............000 200 0 -- 2 5 4