A pair of recent Columbus North graduates played a part in South victories in Saturday’s doubleheader sweep in the North-South All-Star Series at Ball State.
The North avoided the sweep with an 11-5 win in Sunday’s Wooden Bat Game. But on Saturday, Cooper Trinkle and Kevin Thompson helped the South to 5-2 and 5-3 victories.
“It was an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be able to play in it,” Thompson said. “The guys that were there were a lot of fun to be around. We all just enjoyed playing and being around each other.”
Trinkle did the damage in Saturday’s opener. His RBI-single in the first inning gave the South an early 1-0 lead.
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The South went on to score five times in the first three innings to build a 5-0 lead.
“It was pretty cool, being able to put us on the board early,” Trinkle said. “We got off to a big lead and were able to hold onto it.”
Trinkle played the first five innings of the first game, the last four innings of the second game and the first five innings of Sunday’s game at second base.
Trinkle went 1 for 3 in the first game, 0 for 2 in the second game and 0 for 1 on Sunday.
“It was fun,” Trinkle said. “There were so many guys that I played with and against since I was 10 or 12 years old. Getting to play with them again was awesome.”
Meanwhile, Thompson pitched the final inning of Saturday’s second game to earn the save. He allowed one hit and no runs.
Sunday, Thompson pitched three innings and gave up two hits, two walks and a hit batter, and the South also made a couple of errors that led to three unearned runs.
“It was a different feeling because it wasn’t just a normal game,” Thompson said. “All the kids that were there were good kids. I had a lot of adrenaline going. To be able to get a save in my first inning pitched was a good feeling.”
Trinkle and Thompson led the Bull Dogs to sectional and regional titles and a berth in the final four in Class 4A this spring. Trinkle was an All-State player, and Thompson was added to the South All-Star roster when another player had to with draw.
Trinkle leaves Aug. 10 for Evansville, where he will continue his career. Thompson will play at Olney (Illinois) Central and leaves Aug. 12.
“I’m looking forward to that,” Thompson said. “It’s going to be a new experience and good competition.”
