Two-time defending Sectional Champion Zionsville looked to 3-peat at Kokomo Municipal Stadium against the host Wildkats Monday.   Louisville recruit Jack Perkins looked to stand in the Eagles way.  

Perkins came out on fire for the Kats tallying three Ks and two 1-2-3 innings to start the game.  Perkins took care of the top of the Eagles line up all day, going a combined 0-7 with three Ks.  

However, it was Zionsville's bottom of the order that did the most damage, going 5-9 with 2 runs scored and 2 RBI (AJ Cantrell was 2-3, R, RBI and Jack Firestone was 3-3 with an RBI).    

The Eagles struck first in the third starting with an AJ Cantrell lead off single, followed by Evan Bohrer reaching on an error.  Jack Firestone put the Eagles on the board with an RBI single to center.  Riley Bertram followed with a SAC bunt to move runners to second and third.   Kyle Callahan delivered a SAC fly to left, putting the Eagles up two after 2 1/2 innings of play.  

Kokomo countered in the bottom of the third.  Jack Perkins led things off with a double and Noah Hurlock singled putting runners on the corners.  Kyle Wade flew out to shallow right, setting the table for Bayden Root. Root trippled down the right field line driving in two tying things up after three complete.  

Zionsville battled back in the fourth.  Stephen Karis led off with a walk, followed by a Nick Nelson double putting runners at second and third with no one out.  Perkins then got a strikeout and appeared to get an infield ground ball for an out at the plate, but the catcher couldn't come up with it cleanly and the Eagles took the a 3-2 advantage on the Fielders Choice.  

The Kats threatened in the seventh when they finally got to the Eagles bullpen as Starter Nick Brier was chased from the game.  Zionsville turned to Senior shortstop Riley Bertram to close things out.  A walk to the nine-hole hitter Payton McClain followed by a Perkins single had the Kats in business with no outs.  Bertram would get Noah Hurlock to strike out, followed by a Kyle Wade SAC Fly to center.  Perkins would also tag and move to third with two outs.  Relief shortstop Hopper Bumgardner came into the game when Bertram took the mound.  Bayden Root hit a ground ball into the 5.5 hole and Bumgardner made a sensational play and threw to first where Sam Edgell made an amazing stretch and pick to get the third out on a bang-bang play at 1st.    

Kats Pitching:

Jack Perkins - L  6.2 IP 4R 7H 7K 1BB   (FB was 91-93 and flashed 94, Breaking Ball was 81-83)

Bayden Root 0.1 IP 0R 1H 0BB (Threw 2 pitches) 

Zionsville Pitching: 

Nick Brier - W  6+IP 3R 4H 5K 5BB (83-85 early, breaking ball was 77-79) 

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