Cougars come on late to beat Tiger Cubs again
Tuesday’s rematch of the Putnam County Softball Tournament final didn’t need to go 12 innings to determine a winner between Greencastle and North Putnam.
The Cougars handled that in the latter four innings, turning what was a 2-0 deficit into a 6-3 win over the Tiger Cubs.
Two runs in the first inning gave the hosts a lead to defend early on as Sydney Lantzy singled, Gloria Brewer reached on a fielder’s choice and Emma Hunter singled to plate both runners.
North Putnam first threatened in the third inning as Lexi and Hailee Daigle each put down a bunt single but Ali Hassler got a pair of strikeouts and a pop up to end the threat.
There was no catching Emma Williams’ fly ball to start the fourth as the Cougar catcher cleared the center field fence to halve the deficit at 2-1.
Brilye Schmitz would flip the lead in the top of the fifth, again clearing the center field fence with a runner on to make it 3-2 in favor of the visitors.
Greencastle responded as Elise Lausee singled, Lantzy doubled and Brewer grounded out to force a run in, though a second ground ball kept the Tiger Cubs from retaking the lead.
An error and two singles from Bailee Pride and Lexie Daigle plated two runs in the sixth for North Putnam to make it 5-3, which was more than enough for starter Kyndal Brewer to work with over the final two innings.
The Cougars added an insurance run in the seventh on a Kylie Rust double but it would not be necessary as the Putnam County Paddle remained in North Putnam’s hands.
North Putnam 000 122 1 — 6 9 0
Greencastle 200 010 0 — 3 7 3
WP — Brewer 7 IP, 7 H, 3 R (3 ER), 7 K
LP — Hassler 7 IP, 9 H, 6 R (2 ER), BB, 14 K
HR — Williams, Schmitz
2B — Rust; Lantzy
RBI — Schmitz (2), Williams, Rust, Pride, L. Daigle; Hunter (2), Brewer