Bull Dogs edge Cougars, to meet East in final

SHELBYVILLE — This year’s Shelbyville Sectional championship will feature the Columbus crosstown rivalry on Monday after Columbus North survived Bloomington North in Friday night’s sectional semifinal.

The Cougars had just scored a run in with two out in the top of the seventh and two runner on base when Grant Collins hit the ball to Columbus first baseman Jakob Meyer. It took a funny that caused Meyer to bobble it a little, but he held on and touched first to help the Bull Dogs get the 5-4 win over Bloomington North.

“Great credit to Jakob Meyer staying in front of that ball,” North coach Ben McDaniel said. “That kid hit that ball hard, and Jakob Meyer did a great job staying in front and getting that third out at first base.”

The Bull Dogs (18-9) will play Columbus East at 6 p.m. Monday in the final. The Olympians (19-7) beat East Central 9-2 in Friday’s first semifinal.

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McDaniel praised pitcher Casper Clark for keeping his composure on the mound when Columbus North was forced to get out of a few jams. The Bull Dogs took an early 2-1 lead on a Jake Petrusky RBI in the first inning.

Bloomington North hit a home run to tie it, but Columbus North’s Homare Takauchi scored run on a wild pitch to give the Bull Dogs a 2-1 lead.

The Cougars (18-11) put the pressure on Columbus North in the top of the fifth after taking the lead on by scoring two runs and loading the bases with just one out. Meyer caught a suicide squeeze attempt at first and threw to Kyler McIntosh at third for a double play to keep Bloomington North from doing any more damage.

“We figured they were going to squeeze there,” McDaniel said. “Didn’t think they’d put the ball up, so great play by Jakob Meyer there getting the ball while it’s still in the air and doubling it up off of third base. Huge momentum swing for us right there.”

Columbus North responded with two runs of its own to regain the lead on another Takauchi run after the Cougars threw the ball to first base and courtesy runner Blake Huffman scored on a Clark sacrifice fly. Takauchi scored his third run of the day on a wild pitch in the sixth inning.

Clark pitched the entire game and ended with 11 strikeouts and one walk while allowing seven hits.

“There was a lot of emotion and a lot of tension,” Clark said. “I like to think I thrive on that, so it felt good.”

Freshmen catcher Austin Bode went 3 for 3 to lead the Bull Dogs seven-hit attack.

“Just a fantastic job by a freshman,” McDaniel said. “Not only was he 3 for 3, but he hit three balls hard. That’s great to see and hopefully that carries over to Monday.”