Despite seeing its four-run lead whittled down by the end, Batesville still held off the 3A #7 ranked Franklin County Wildcats for a 6-5 victory on Monday. Franklin County scored three runs in the failed comeback on an error and a single by Brandt Ertel.
Batesville earned the victory despite allowing Franklin County to score three runs in the seventh inning. Dominic Reeves and Ertel all moved runners across the plate with RBIs in the inning.
The Bulldogs got things started in the first inning. Riley Zink singled on the first pitch of the at bat, scoring two runs. Later in the inning, Jack Grunkemeyer doubled left center to score two more, giving the Bulldogs a 4-0 lead in the first.
Jacob Meer pitched the Bulldogs to victory. Meer allowed one hit and two runs over five innings, striking out three. Max Baumer and Jack Grunkemeyer entered the game out of the bullpen and helped to close out the game in relief. Grunkemeyer recorded the last out to earn the save for Batesville.
Joe Fields took the loss for Franklin County. Fields surrendered six runs on seven hits over five and two-thirds innings, striking out four.
Cole Werner, Travis Lecher, Sam Voegele, Calvin Sherwood, Baumer, Zink, and Grunkemeyer each collected one hit to lead Batesville.
The EIAC win takes the Bulldogs to 7-4 overall and 3-2 in the EIAC. Batesville will travel to Franklin County to take on the Wildcats on Thursday.
Courtesy of Bulldogs Coach Justin Tucker.
Derric Gunter started as pitcher for the Bulldogs and went 4 innings allowing 3 hits and 3 runs and striking out 6. Eli Loichinger came in relief and in 3 innings of work only allowed 1 hit and struck out 3 batters.
Courtesy of Bulldogs Coach Jason Meyer.