Bloomington, IN – No. 4 Columbus North opened sectional play on Wednesday against Shelbyville. The matchup on the mound was between Shelbyville’s Senior Dylan Alvis, the lone player not a freshman or sophomore in the program, and CN’s Daniel Ayers. Shelbyville jumped out to an early lead scoring in the top of the first on a two out bases loaded single by JD Cox (2014). Columbus North would respond though in the bottom half scoring three runs, Braden Pelley (2012, Franklin commit) drew a bases loaded walk, Devin Mann (2015) hit a bases loaded fly ball that got dropped allowing everyone to advance a base, and Preston Shelton (2012) hit a sac fly giving CN a 3-1 lead after one.

Shelbyville would answer right back though in the bottom half. Alvis hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Adam Eads (2014), who had walked to lead off the inning. Then Colin Phelps (2015), who had gotten hit by a pitch earlier in the inning scored on a wild pitch.

Columbus North looked like they may fall to a young Shelbyville team after Shelbyville took the lead in the fifth. With two outs and runners on first and second, CN’s catcher Will Bowman threw behind the runner, Chase McColley (2014). McColley took off and went to third and the throw to third got away allowing him to come home giving Shelbyville a 4-3 lead.

In the bottom of the 6^th Columbus North woke up. With the bases loaded Nick Wingate (2013) lined a ball off of the umpire to tie the game at four. Coledon Hoeltke then hit a bases loaded single to left field bringing home two, as he advanced to second base. Will Bowman then extended the lead with a two run single of his own, putting CN up 8-4.

Daniel Ayers threw five innings, allowing two earned runs, four hits, and striking out nine. Ayers was 88-89 in the first inning, and 85-88 for his next four innings. Hunter McIntosh threw the last two innings for CN to pick up the win. McIntosh sat 85-87 during his time on the mound.

Final: Columbus North 8 Shelbyville 4