Bulldogs hold off NH spunk

During the course of the first three games of the season, North Harrison coach Mark Lamon has been trying to get a feel for his ball club.
The Lady Cats dropped the season opener to Borden, 9-2, then, on Saturday, participated in the Bedford North Lawrence Invitational, going 1-1. They defeated New Washington with a single run in the eighth inning before losing to the host by the run-rule.
Turn to Monday, when the Lady Cats played at home for the first time in 2015. Although they fell behind, 5-0, to visiting New Albany, they showed Lamon something he had been looking for: a little fire.
North Harrison, with a powerful double off the bat of Brittany Rudolph in the fifth inning, cut New Albany’s lead to one, 6-5.
The Bulldogs wouldn’t allow North Harrison to score again while adding three insurance runs during the sixth and seventh innings to win 9-5.
‘One thing I told them was against Bedford Saturday, we got down early and buckled,’ Lamon said. ‘Against Borden, we got down early and didn’t put a big fight up. Today, they battled back. (New Albany) is going to be a really good team. This is their first game, but, when they got a lead, our girls battled back.’
It took a visit to the pitcher’s circle to light a little fire Monday. Trailing 6-1 in the third inning, a fielding error prompted Lamon to exit the dugout.
‘I thought they were playing lackadaisical in a way,’ he said. ‘The effort wasn’t where I wanted it. I wanted to go out there and talk to them.’
The talk worked. Although New Albany loaded the bases in the inning, pitcher Lacie Smith was able to get Marrisa Jones to fly out to right to end the inning.
Overall, New Albany hit the ball well against North Harrison, finishing with 12 hits, with many of those coming from the heart of the order. Clean-up hitter Kennedy Wynn had a 4-for-5 day with three singles and a double. Lead-off hitter Jena Fath was 3 for 4 with a pair of doubles. She also drew a walk and rounded the bases for a triple in the second inning.
North Harrison lead-off hitter Jourdan McAfee had a unique day at the dish. Seemingly a target at times, she reached base three times after being hit by pitches.
In the third inning, McAfee reached first on a single then swiped second base. With one out, Kodi House delivered a run-scoring single. The inning ended, however, when Kyia Oppel hit a liner back to the pitcher, doubling up House.
The offensive momentum continued for North Harrison in the fourth inning when Rudolph led off the frame with a single. Abby Bozynski followed by drawing a walk. Two outs later, Megan Fessel hit a line-drive single over the second baseman, bringing home Bozynski.
The two-run fourth brought the Lady Cats within two runs, 6-4.
Holding New Albany off the board in the fifth, North Harrison scored again in its half of the frame. Oppel’s single to start saw her come around the bases on Rudolph’s double to the right center-field fence.
‘We’re going to hit the ball,’ Lamon said. ‘I was proud of them for battling back. They are being more of a team.’
Courtesy runner Jillian Longacre was stranded at third, while New Albany relief pitcher Hannah Vert stopped the rally.
Lengthy sixth and seventh innings at the plate for New Albany killed North Harrison’s momentum. Wynn eventually scored after plucking a double to left center. New Albany brought six batters to the plate in the sixth but managed one run off starting pitcher Lacie Smith and reliever Grace Troncin.
After North Harrison stranded a pair of runners in the sixth, New Albany had four straight hits to begin the seventh. Atkins and Wynn had run-scoring singles.
North Harrison helped itself with great defense. Rudolph, catching behind the plate, threw out Brooke McCoy trying to steal. Then, for the final out, center-fielder McAfee made a running play to track down a liner.
New Albany flashed some leather in the final inning as well with third baseman Wynn snagging a pair of hard hit balls off the bats of Rudolph and Bozynski. The final out was recorded by catcher Danielle Willamson, diving to catch a Laken Coughenauer foul ball.
For the game, both teams were effective at putting the bat on the ball. There was only one strikeout between them.
Lamon said the team is coming together.
‘We are still getting used to each other. I’ve coached a few of these kids, but, for the most part, we are learning each other,’ he said. ‘I may have to push some buttons to get them going.’
The growth thus far has him encouraged.
‘Four games in, I see them growing as a team,’ Lamon said. ‘In practice, they seem to be really together, but, in games, it has taken a while. Today, it seemed like they were there for each other. You have to stay positive.’
Atkins scored the win in the circle, while Smith took the loss.
North Harrison will return to the diamond today (Wednesday) to face Springs Valley. The Lady Cats will host Clarksville tomorrow.

New Albany 231 001 2 ‘ 9 12 4
North Harrison 011 210 0 ‘ 5 5 2
W ‘ Atkins, L ‘ Smith.
2B ‘ Fath 2 (NA), Wynn (NA), McCoy (NA), Rudolph (NH); 3B ‘ Fath (NA).