Columbus North’s Connor Hensley fires a pitch to the plate during the season opener against Roncalli April 1 at Southside Elementary School.
The Republic file photo
In Columbus North’s sizzling start to the baseball season, the Bull Dogs have had their ups and downs offensively, but pitching has been a constant.
The Class 4A No. 7 Bull Dogs has allowed only 16 earned runs in 12 games. It’s the big reason why North has gotten off to a 11-1 start.
“We’re just going out and throwing strikes and getting ahead, and putting runs on the board for us,” senior ace Connor Hensley said. “That’s what matters most.”
Hensley, a right-hander, has been lights out for the Bull Dogs this season. He is 3-0 with an 0.61 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 23 innings.
The IU Columbus recruit is one of three senior pitchers who have committed to play in college. Blake Osbourne has signed with Taylor, and Ryan Rayburn is headed to Vincennes.
Columbus North’s Ryan Rayburn fires a pitch to the plate during the season opener against Roncalli April 1 at Southside Elementary School.
The Republic file photo
Rayburn, a right-hander, is 3-0 with an 1.26 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 16.2 innings. The left-handed Osbourne is 0-0 with a 2.63 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 13.1 innings.
Blake Osbourne
“We’re coming out and pounding the (strike) zone,” Rayburn said. “Most of our outings have been 70 percent-plus strikes. We’re just coming out and battling and letting the defense work.”
“It’s really nice to know even past us three that on any given night, the pitcher we have on the mound is going to give us a chance to win,” Osbourne added. “We have a lot of depth, and every pitcher we put out there has always put us in a good spot to win.”
North coach Mike Bodart echoed those sentiments.
“They are different types of pitchers,” Bodart said. “The important part, though, is what’s similar about all of them is the fact that they’re consistent. We’re confident 100 percent in anybody on our pitching staff right now, and that’s a good spot to be in. Especially with those three senior leaders, they’re all gritty, they’re ready to get after it, they all want to be leaders and we’re good with them anytime they’re out there on the mound.”
Ryan Rayburn
Sophomores Brock Kintner and Javier Martinez Uscanga, a move-in from Mexico, also have been solid on the mound for the Bull Dogs. Juniors Joey Fry, Jayce Emmitt and Lane Schrader have given them quality innings, as well.
Meanwhile, the run support from the offense has been more than enough for that pitching staff.
“Everybody is picking each other up,” Osbourne said. “As soon as a pitcher gives up a run, they get back in the dugout, and we have people telling them, ‘We have your back. We’re going to get that run back for you,’ and just keeping each others’ heads in the game.”
Connor Hensley
Hensley also leads North with .429 average and is second on the team with seven RBIs and nine runs scored. Kintner is hitting .424, and Osboure, who leads off and plays center field, is batting .312.
“The goal is to chip away,” Hensley said. “It might be one run, it might be two runs, whatever it is, just get something back if we give up runs. However many runs we give up, we know the offense is going to chip back and give us support.”
“I think the team complements themselves pretty well,” Rayburn added. “From a pitching standpoint, knowing that you have the hitters behind you, you have a little bit of wiggle room. I think that the team is playing really solid, fundamental baseball.”
The Bull Dogs are in a stretch of eight games in nine days, so the depth of the pitching staff will be tested. But they are hoping that will prepare them for a deep run in the postseason.
“Win state,” Hensley said. “That’s the goal — win sectional, regional, all that.”
“Conference (Indiana) is on our mind,” Osbourne added. “We haven’t won that in a couple years, but obviously, the postseason is our goal.”
