Perry Meridian used three hits and a pair of Columbus North errors to jump out to an early lead in the opening game of the Conference Indiana season.
The first inning brought all nine of the Falcons batters to the plate, producing five runs. That would be all they would need in a 5-3 victory.
North senior Kevin Thompson struggled through the first but got the job done through the next four innings, shutting down Perry Meridian lineup and holding it to just two more hits through the rest of his tenure on the hill. He ended his day with five innings pitched and three strikeouts and gave up the only five runs.
The Bull Dogs (6-3, 0-1) chipped away in the next three innings, getting one run in each frame.
Tyler Finke led off the bottom of the first with a single, then advanced to third on an errant pickoff throw. Cooper Trinkle singled to score Finke to put the Bull Dogs on the board.
In the second, Parker Maddox had an infield single, and a throwing error advanced him to second base. A passed ball moved Maddox to third. A sacrifice fly by Grant Trinkle scored Maddox to get the Bull Dogs within three runs.
Cooper Trinkle got the third inning started with a hit by pitch. He then stole second base and advanced to third on a passed ball. Logan Jones scored Trinkle with a groundout,the last run for North.
The last threat that the Bull Dogs could muster was in the fifth. With two out, North loaded the bases with Wade Rankin, Jeremias Dela Cruz and Jones but couldn’t continue the momentum as a popout to the first basemen in foul territory ended the threat.
Korry Drum pitched the final two innings for the Bull Dogs, striking out two, and did not surrender a hit.
