Crown Point: Bulldogs survives Hanover Central
Updated: April 2, 2012 11:03PM
CEDAR LAKE — There were 13 hits in this high school baseball game. There were also 11 errors.
Through it all, Crown Point came out on top over host Hanover Central 9-5.
The Bulldogs (3-0) took a 6-0 lead after 2 1/2 inning and things weren’t looking good for the home team. But the Wildcats (1-1) came roaring back in their half of third, which might of have been the strangest half inning of a sloppy game.
Hanover’s eighth and ninth place hitters started things off by striking out, but leadoff man Zac Maciejewski doubled for the second time in three innings. Maciejewski, a junior, has made just one out this out in two games this season (a scalded liner to center) and is 6 for 7 with three doubles. Maciejewski’s two bagger was followed by a pair of walks, an error, a single and another error. When the smoke cleared, Hanover had batted around and scored four to make it 6-4.
Six of the Bulldogs’ nine runs came after two outs, including the three they put on the board in the top of the fourth to make it 9-4 and put the game out of reach.
Hanover right fielder Vince Brazzale switched positions with starter Tyler Trepton (0-1) to begin the fifth. Brazalle pitched well in relief holding Crown Point in check for the last three innings.
Crown Point’s trio of Jake Lindeman (1-0), Noah Burkholder and David Kepshire combined for 10 strikeouts, half of them looking.
Hanover mounted a small threat in the bottom of the seventh, picking up one run. The Wildcats’ final three hitters all made good contact, but the southeast wind kept the ball in the park.
“It was an ugly game for both teams,” CP coach Steve Strayer said. “I thought our pitching did pretty well. We manufactured some runs after they got back in the ball game. I was happy about that.”
The 3A Wildcats aren’t afraid to go up against the big dogs. Hanover’s first two games have been against Lowell and Crown Point. Later this week, they face Valparaiso, Lake Central and Portage.
“We play big schools early to make us better,” Hanover coach Doug Nelson said. “We committed too many errors today. There are no bad hops in the outfield. If they would’ve hit 21 fly balls, I’d like our chances.”
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