Herrmann's seventh-inning hit drives in winning run, NP beats Cloverdale
CLOVERDALE -- With the score tied 3-all in the top of the ninth inning, North Putnam senior Michael Herrmann approached the plate from the on-deck circle in Cloverdale with a chance to be the hero. As he has all season, Herrmann stopped in a phone booth on the way there.
Herrmann hit a seeing-eye single through the hole on the right side of the infield, driving in the go-ahead run and his third RBI of the game.
The score held up to move the Cougars (6-0-1, 3-0) into first place in the West Central Conference.
Cloverdale (6-2) had a chance to tie the game in the bottom of the inning after a controversial call got things going for the Clovers.
Will Andersen led off and appeared to ground out to third base, but he never left the batter's box to try to beat the throw from freshman Kyler Jeter.
After umpires initially ruled Andersen out, the crew flipped the play and called it a foul ball, giving the Andersen new life. He eventually drew a walk from senior Jake Haste, North Putnam's starter who threw a complete game.
Senior Justin Wilson came to the plate next and placed a perfect bunt down the third base line. Jeter was playing deep and made a quick play on the ball, but Wilson beat out the throw at first, celebrating exuberantly.
With runners on first and second and nobody out, senior Austin Mannan came to the plate. Mannan had been pitched around carefully in his previous two plate appearances and drew a walk both times.
Haste went after him in the seventh and struck him out to break up the Clovers' momentum.
Cody Carter followed, but he fouled out to first baseman Jordan Nauert.
Now with two outs, Haste tuned out chants of, "He's rattled," that had been coming from the Cloverdale dugout all game.
Haste struck out Tyler Carter to end the game and keep the Cougars' unbeaten record intact.
Things got testy between the two teams and they will have little time to cool off.
The WCC and county rivals scare off again on Tuesday at North Putnam, beginning at 5 p.m. with the Clovers looking for revenge.
WP -- Haste (3-0)
LP -- Wilson (3-1)