Harrison's Luek Throws 9 K's, Beats Westfield

Westfield, IN – Three runs in the top of the first inning would be all that Lafayette Harrison starter Nick Lueck would need. The left handed senior pitcher, Lueck, went the distance on Thursday, allowing just one run in the game and frustrating the Westfield hitters.

In the top of the first inning leadoff man Joe Dinkel (2012) got hit by a pitch, which was followed by a check swing ground ball by Lueck that was thrown down the right field line. With runners on second and third Butler commit Nick Bartolone stepped up and turned on a ball to right field for a two RBI double. Michael Carnahan (2012) singled to left, putting runners on first and third. Payton Smith (2012) came up next and grounded into a fielder’s choice that scored another run, putting Harrison up 3-0 after the top half of the first.

Harrison would add a run in each of the next two innings. In the second they got a two out RBI single from Dinkel that scored Sam Konkel (2012), who had singled earlier in the inning. In the third Bartolone led off the inning with a walk, stole second, and moved to third on ball to the outfield from Carnahan. Smith put another ball into play that brought home Bartolone putting Harrison up 5-0.

Westfield got on the board in the fourth with a two out RBI double from Alec Nelson. In the fifth and the seventh Westfield threatened to close the gap, but Lueck came through with big pitch after big pitch. In the fifth Westfield had the bases loaded and one out for their 3-4 hitters, but Lueck got a strike out and a ground ball back to the pitcher to get out of the jam. In the seventh with runners on second and third again Lueck had to deal with Westfield’s 3 and 4 hitters, this time getting a strike out and a ground ball to the second baseman Dinkel to end the game. Lueck finished the game with nine strike outs and gave up just three hits.

FINAL: Harrison 5 Westfield 1