NU’s Kailin McElroy waits on the pitch against Indian Lake. The Lady Cats fell 9-1.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Bob Putman)
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Indian Lake did most of its offensive damage in the third and sixth innings during its Central Buckeye Conference softball game at North Union.
The damage that was done was more than enough as the Lakers (4-0 overall, 2-0 CBC) defeated the Lady Cats 9-1.
North Union is now 1-3 overall and 0-2 in the conference.
Indian Lake was the Division III state runner-up in 2023. Seven players who were on the field against North Union were in the lineup in last year’s state final.
“Obviously, Indian Lake is a good team,” NU head coach Pat Grove said. “They put a lot of pressure on us and we did not do the controllable things that have to happen.”
Neither team scored in the first two innings, but Indian Lake sent three runs across the plate in the third.
Madison Brentlinger and Halle Roby each had run-scoring hits.
The Lakers added a single marker in the fifth on an RBI-double by Brentlinger.
North Union scored its lone run in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Kennedy Harrah rapped a one-out single, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Kale Keigley and reached third on an Indian Lake error.
Emma Padavano plated Harrah with a single to left.
The Lakers put the game away with a five-run outburst in the sixth.
The Lady Cats had runners on base in every inning after going down in order in the first. However, they were stymied by the pitching of Brentlinger, who allowed six hits, and the defense that committed just one error.
North Union was coming off a 6-0 win over Olentangy Orange, but could not carry that over against the Lakers.
“We did not have a lot of energy and made mental mistakes that we had not seen,” Grove said.
Reese DeCamp was in the pitching circle for North Union. She had seven strikeouts and allowed 12 hits.
Harrah and Padavano each had two singles while Rylee Fox and Ryleigh Rasey each had a single.
IL 003 015 0-9 12 1
NU 000 010 0-1 6 2
WP: Brentlinger
LP: DeCamp
The two schools also squared off on the baseball field.
NU won for the third time in four games, downing Indian Lake 2-1.
Tyler Krebehenne pitched a complete game for the Wildcats, allowing just three hits, walking four and fanning three.
“Tyler pitched a heck of a game,” NU head coach Nick Blakeley said. “He gave up four walks, but was able to hunker down and get it done.”
The Wildcats also played well on defense by not committing an error.
North Union scored its two runs in the third inning.
Krebehenne started the rally with a walk and Caden Potts followed with a single.
Krebehenne scored on a throwing error. Landon Converse drove home Potts with a double.
Indian Lake cut the lead in half with a run in the sixth inning.
“Indian Lake is the defending CBC champion and it was a big win for us,” Blakeley said. “They force you to play a perfect game and that is what we did.”
IL 000 001 0-1 3 1
NU 002 000 x-2 4
WP: Krebehenne
LP: Lillard