Columbus North’s Tyler Blythe, left, steals third as Roncalli’s Karter Simmons waits to make the catch Monday April 4, 2022 at Southside Elementary.
Greg Jones | For The Republic
After Columbus North led 4-2 heading into the sixth inning, it seemed like the victory was about to slip away after visiting Class 4A No. 9 Roncalli scored one in the sixth and two in the seventh to take a 5-4 lead.
Fortunately for the Bull Dogs, the sunset became their friend. They tied the game in the bottom of the seventh, but game was called due to darkness. By rule, the score reverted back to the end of the previous inning, which allowed them to post a 4-3 victory over the Royals in their baseball home opener Monday night.
“Good teams beat teams they’re supposed to beat, but Roncalli is a good team. They’re tough,” North coach Pat Antone said. “It says a lot, but we have a lot to work on. To compete the way we did at the end, that was what I wanted to see. We’re in a tight spot, it’s getting dark, the momentum is shifting that way. We were able to settle down, compete and find a way to come back in the bottom of the seventh inning. We tied it up and put ourselves in good position, but darkness came.”
Columbus North’s Will Baker delivers a pitch against Roncalli April 4, 2022 at Southside Elementary.
Greg Jones | For The Republic
Roncalli opened the top of the first, scoring two runs off a single from JJ Prendergrest to take a 2-0 lead. In the bottom half of the inning, the Bull Dogs (2-0) had the bases loaded, and then a Zach McLean double cleared the bases for a 3-2 lead. North added the insurance run needed in the bottom of the third inning to eventually be the difference.
Will Baker earned the win on the mound. He gave up two runs, both in the first inning, off two hits and struck out eight in four innings pitched. Luke Harmon came on in relief to close out the final two frames and earn the save.
For the Bull Dogs, Connor Hensley finished 2 for 2, and McLean 1 for 2 with a double.
“After the first inning finished up, (Baker) did settle in and did a good job,” Antone said. “We were able to answer back in the bottom of the first inning, when Zach McLean came through with a big bases-clearing hit. We had other opportunities in other spots throughout the game. We couldn’t get that big hit to really open it up and blow it up.”
Monday marked the first of five games in six days for North, weather permitting. They’ll host East Central today, but the forecast is calling for widespread showers.
