Huntington, IN--- It was a sectional atmosphere when Homestead and Huntington North met at Huntington North. With more than 750 people in attendance for a regular season game it was easy to feel how big of a game it was. Both teams entered the game undefeated and ranked in the top 10. Homestead started their No. 1 pitcher and Parkland commit Jake Weber. Weber sat 83-85 and touched 87 on occasion. Huntington North threw junior Braydin Stell. Stell worked two plus innings for the Vikings, while Weber went 4 plus innings.

Homestead jumped up early taking a 5-0 after 2 1/2. Andre Jernigan was 0-1 with two RBIs in the first three innings. Also, key contributors for the early lead were senior Austin Plasterer, a senior second baseman, walked and laid down a beautiful bunt for a hit, followed later that inning by a double from junior outfielder Nick Denice. In all Homestead had  4 hits in three innings drew three walks and reached on an error. This game however was all about the Huntington North hitters making an adjustment and being unstoppable for the last five innings.

Huntington North had zero hits and only one base runner in the first two innings. In the third, they scored three runs on four hits. The big blow was delivered by Trevor Storie (Heartland), an RBI double. After three, Huntington North was still down 5-3. North would draw within one after four. Then, the wheels fell off for the Spartans. Weber and Soat combined to walk 3 of the first four hitters in the fifth setting up the nine hole hitter Stell. Stell ripped a double scoring two runs giving Huntington North the lead for good. Junior Evan Brown (2013) held the Spartans scoreless for four innings before giving way to Kendall Whitman (IPFW). Whitman would eventually close the game out, but would yield one run. Whitman forced a ground ball with the bases loaded to end the game.

 

Huntington North 11 Homestead  9

Key Performers
Huntington North: Cody Frazier - 3-4, 3 RBI, Brock Gower - 2-3, 3 RBI
Homestead: Brandon Soat - 2-4, RBI, Jake Weber - 2-4, Austin Plasterer - 2-3, 3 R

Thoughts

This was a much hyped up rivalry and I was shocked to see how great the atmosphere was and how many people came to see the game. I think the playing surface being quick made this game 11-9. Both teams hit and hit a lot, but none of the pitchers that threw were 11-9 bad. There were several ground balls that found holes or hopped over infielder’s heads. Weber did not always command his breaking ball and found himself down in several counts. When he got ahead he was tough to hit. These two teams are definitely two of the best in the state. With them being sectional rivalries, Homestead and Huntington are both in sectional 6, I can not wait to see the two face off again in what will be intense competition. Last year, Huntington North defeated Homestead 8-7 in the first round of sectionals.