Columbus North’s Payton Morris, left, high-fives Maddi Rutan after Rutan struck out an East Central batter at the Southside diamonds, Thursday, March 30, 2023.
Paige Grider | For The Republic
Maddi Rutan probably didn’t need to warm up before the game.
The Columbus North senior threw 16 pitches to the first batter she faced. After that, she found herself in rhythm.
The Bull Dog bats from top to bottom were hot, leading to two big innings, and thus, a season-opening 11-1 win in five innings against visiting East Central.
“It’s a great start. We hit the ball well. They were right on it, even when they switched pitchers,” North coach Ron McDonald said. “We were hitting the ball very well, seeing the ball really well. For the first game, I couldn’t be more happier about everything. Maddi pitched great. We fielded the ball. When we have chances to field it, we field it very well. It was a great all-around game for us.”
Kirsten Danford got the first rally for the Class 4A No. 10 Bull Dogs going with a single in the first inning. Rutan followed with a single. Kelsey Lovelace drove in the first run of the game, Bailey King followed with an RBI-double, and Miley McClellan had an RBI-single through the gap between third and short for a 4-0 lead.
North put away the game in the third when Rutan started the rally with a single, and Lovelace singled to put runners on first and second. After Bailey King was hit by a pitch, McClellan delivered a single to drive in two more runs. Josie Lemmons and Danford each knocked in a run with a single, and Rutan finished off the inning with an RBI-double to put the Bull Dogs ahead 11-1 after three innings.
The only blemish for Rutan in the circle was the solo home run in the top of the third by Payge Callahan, who had made Rutan throw 16 pitches before flying out in the previous at-bat. After that, Rutan allowed only two other hits and struck out 11 to earn the win.
Rutan finished 3 for 3 at the plate, and McClellan went 2 for 3 with three RBIs. Danford and Lovelace each went 2 for 3.
“We came out with our sticks firing, and I think we did really good. Our fielding was really good,” Rutan said. “It was fun. It was a good game. That first batter gave me a run for my money, but she’s good.”
North has a Conference Indiana doubleheader on Saturday. They’ll host Terre Haute North at noon and then play Terre Haute South at around 2 p.m.
