Tully throws Shutout; Northridge Wins in Extras

By Blake Hibler

Elkhart, IN—The No. 1 team in the state, Elkhart Central, started their quest for a state title on Friday when the took on Concord. Concord gave Elkhart everything they could handle, but just could not get the big hit. Concord left 10 runners on base, leaving the bases loaded twice.

Tanner Tully had a lot to do with Concord’s in ability to get a big hit. While Tanner struggled with control at times throughout the game, the lefty senior, committed to Ohio State, was able to strike out 14 Concord hitters and gave up no runs en route to a 3-0 Elkhart Central victory.

Offensively, Elkhart Central also struggled coming up with a big hit. Cocnord’s starter, Stephen Pinarski, stranded 12 runners on base and twice left the bases loaded.  Elkhart Central scored two runs in the second off RBI singles from Tully and Namisak.

In the fifth, the Blue Blazers tacked on an insurance run when Austin McCart scored on an error to make it 3-0, the eventual final score.

The seventh was the best opportunity for Concord. Concord loaded the bases and with two outs had their best hitter up to bat, Nick DeFreese. However, Tully struck out DeFreese with three straight breaking balls to end the threat and the game.

The second game of the night was a close, intense matchup between Goshen and Northridge. Goshen jumped out to a 2-0 advantage. Goshen’s starter Jake Jesse kept Northridge off the scoreboard until the fifth inning, when Arick Doberenz delivered a two run single to tie the game at two.

Northridge would strike again, this time off the bat of Alen Grusy. Grusy hit a groudball between first and second which just got past the diving first baseman to bring in a run.

Goshen would respond in the seventh, Derek Haynes drew a one out walk that was followed by a double that knocked out starting pitcher Austin Moniot. With Blake Frye now on the mound, Goshen hit a groundball that pushed across the tying run.

In the eighth, Northridge broke the tie when Shannon Baker led off with a single and was sacrificed to second, setting up Brock Logan to be the hero. Logan ripped a single to right to score the eventual winning run, 4-3.

Northridge’s Austin Moniot made the play of the night in the bottom half of the eighth and ruined any chance of Goshen coming back. Austin Henke hit a line drive deep in the left field corner that Moniot tracked down and made a game saving diving catch.