By Evan Reller
IUPUI Student Journalist
INDIANAPOLIS – Class 4A host Lawrence North held a lead over 4A 19th-ranked Hamilton Southeastern through four innings of its season-opening baseball game April 3, but the Royals rallied with a four-run fifth inning to post a 10-5 victory.
Lawrence North opened with an early lead in the bottom of the first as junior Cory Meixner smacked a two-run homer. The Wildcats held onto the lead till the fateful fifth as HSE scored four times, including center fielder Chris Irwin’s two-run homer and an RBI double by left fielder Grant Kistler.
Senior shortstop Zach Starr added a run in the sixth for the Royals (3-0) by stealing home following a Wildcat error.
Lawrence North coach Rich Winzenread felt his team’s lack of experience showed and that Southeastern was able to capitalize on the Wildcats’ errors. Pitching was also a problem after senior Will Nolden left the game for LN after the fourth inning.
Nolden, the Wildcats’ starting quarterback, hadn’t been expected to play due to injuries to his non-throwing arm sustained during football season.
Southeastern benefited from solid offensive play by the whole team. Starr led the way with three hits and a run batted in, Kistler had two hits and an RBI double, and Adam Starr and Rob Stein both had an RBI for coach Scott Johnson, who also got a solo homer from Christian Struck.
Sophomore Jacob Kowal (two earned runs and three hits with four strikeouts in three innings) picked up the win in relief of junior starter Brandon Overton, while senior J.T. Timmer (three Ks and neither a run nor hit in getting the final four outs) earned the save for HSE.
Hamilton Southeastern returns to action April 5 at home against 3A ninth-ranked Mt. Vernon (Fortville), while Lawrence North will host 4A No. 12 Center Grove the next day.
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