BROWNSTOWN
Heading into the bottom of the sixth, it was anyone’s game.
Brownstown Central was up 2-1 against Corydon Central, and the pressure looked to be on Braves pitcher Cody Williams to close out the game.
That’s when senior Carson Lambring stepped to the plate and belted a three-run home run to right-center field to give the Braves some insurance and Williams a little breathing room.
Brownstown Central (13-2, 6-1 MSC) closed the game, capturing a 5-3 Mid-Southern Conference win at home Monday on senior night.
Lambring said it was one of the best at-bats he has had in a long time.
“It was one of the best at-bats I ever had,” he said. “It was my first home run since the little leagues, and it was a really cool experience for me.”
Lambring said it will be something to remember down the road.
“It was awesome to happen on senior night, and I’m extremely blessed that happened, and I’m glad I could help the team out by hitting it,” he said.
Braves coach John Lawson also said the moment was huge for Lambring, who had singled, struck out looking and flew out to left field in the game.
“We’re trying to scratch and claw all game, trying to get baserunners and score runs, and finally we had something put together to get up 2-1 and a three-run homer pushes us and is the difference,” he said.
The Panthers made it interesting, as they were able to record a two-run home run of their own in the bottom of the sixth, to make it 5-3.
Williams walked the first batter and then got the second to flyout to first. Then the Panthers’ second baseman belted the shot to the same spot as Lambring.
Williams threw a complete game, giving up two hits and one walk over seven innings of work.
Lawson said Williams’ performance helped keep the team in the game throughout the night.
Williams also was backed up by a solid defense by the Braves.
Both Ty Maxie and Sy Zickler made impressive defensive plays at shortstop and third, respectively, to retire two Panthers to end the second inning.
The game was mostly quiet until the Panthers scored in the top of the fourth.
The Panthers’ designated hitter reached on an error and then stole second. A single from the first baseman and pitcher moved him home to score the first run with only one out.
The left fielder then hit the ball to Ty Maxie, who threw it to Seth Borden to get the first out. The throw to first was unsuccessful, but Nick Marling threw it home as a Panther was trying to score another run.
The runner was called out on a play-at-the plate as the Braves were able to limit the damage to one run.
Maxie lead off the bottom of the fourth with an infield single. Maxie was able to beat the throw from third, but that’s as far as the Braves would make it to home in the inning.
Williams retired the fifth inning in order as he struck out two and got a hit straight back to him and threw it to Marling for the out.
Cameron Luedeman led off the fifth inning with a single to deep center field and then advanced to second on a passed ball. Luedeman then scored when Devin Stuckwisch got an infield hit and the Panthers’ first baseman was unable to scoop up a low throw to tie the game at one.
Garland replaced Stuckwisch on the base as a pinch runner. Zickler and Marling then walked to load the bases with one out. Hogan replaced Zickler as a pinch runner.
Maxie then grounded out to second, but Garland was able to score to give the Braves the 2-1 lead.
Lawson said he feels good about how the team stands at this point in the season.
“It’s nice to be 6-1 in conference,” he said. “That’s with two more games to go and it’s a good feeling; we’re not in the driver’s seat, but we have a chance and we just need to keep playing good baseball.