For The Tribune
BROWNSTOWN
The Brownstown Central baseball team picked up an 8-5 Mid-Southern Conference win against visiting North Harrison on Monday.
The Braves (3-0, 1-0 MSC) jumped to an early lead after scoring their first four runs in the bottom of the first.
The Braves sent the Cougars’ starting pitcher Jake Morin back to the dugout after he was only able to record one out. The Braves used 10 batters in the inning.
The first run came when junior Ian Martin walked with the bases loaded after senior Ty Maxie walked, senior Nick Marling singled and senior Sy Zickler walked.
Senior Kyle Kramer then walked to bring the score 2-0.
Senior Cody Williams singled in a run and senior Devin Stuckwisch walked to bring the score to 4-0.
The Cougars were able to score one run in the second off a RBI single from Devin Sweeney to cut into the Braves’ lead.
The damage was held to one run as the Braves were able to record a double play to end the inning.
The cleanly-executed double play prevented Cougars catcher Brett Rudolph from charging home for a run.
The game was 5-1 through the sixth inning, with Williams fanning five over 5.1 innings, and the Braves seemed to be cruising to an easy win.
The Cougars had other plans and erased the Braves’ advantage by scoring four to tie the game in the top of the sixth.
Williams recorded the first two outs but loaded the bases with the Braves up 5-3. Maxie came in to relieve Williams and gave up two to tie the game.
Kramer threw out the Cougars’ Jake Book at the plate to keep the game a tie.
The Braves responded in a big way in the bottom of the sixth.
Sophomore Matthew Garland was able to reach base on an error on Cougars second baseman Evan Lasley.
Both Lambring and Maxie flew out to bring the Braves to their final out. That’s when Marling hit got a hit to move Garland to second. With two on, Zickler was able to reach on an error from third baseman Max Flock.
Garland was able to score on a throwing error by Flock to give the Braves the 6-5 lead.
Martin gave the Braves some insurance with a two-RBI double to the outfield. Martin later was picked off at second to end the inning.
The Braves entered the seventh inning with a three-run cushion, but the Cougars would not go away.
Maxie recorded the first two outs of the inning but let two reach base.
That’s when Braves coach John Lawson put in Zickler to relieve Maxie.
Zickler then walked Sweeney to load the bases.
The Cougars worked until the last pitch as pinch-hitter Ben Davis worked a full count.
Zickler had other ideas and got Davis swinging to secure the win.
The Braves will host Seymour (2-3) tonight.