Tipp completes run-rule win over Bethel
Both teams are having a stellar season, but only one of the hometown schools would walk away with a win last Friday night. The Tippecanoe Red Devils used a big fifth-inning to complete the run-rule against Bethel 12-2 at Day Air Ballpark in downtown Dayton last Friday night.
“The boys came out ready to go from the first pitch,” Tipp coach Cameron Dickens said. “Playing in a first-class facility against a good team, they were excited to go. I thought our performance on the mound was really gritty. We made some pitches to get out of jams when we really needed it.”
“It wasn’t a perfect performance. There is plenty to correct going into next week. However, the offense continues to roll, and we are getting contributions from all over. Carson Jackson and Landon Muhlenkamp were great, and Mason Dehus had a great at bat with a pinch hit double in the 5th (his first varsity hit) to bust it open.”
Dealing with the weather all night, the game was tight going to the fifth when Tipp exploded for seven runs to walk off with the ten-run victory.
Ethan Davis started for the Red Devils, pitching just over three innings and allowing one earned run. Cayden Jackson finished the game for Tipp, allowing no hits in almost two innings of play.
Christian Barker suffered the loss after a rough four innings, allowing six earned runs and walking four batters.
All but one Tipp starter recorded at least one hit as they took a 4-0 lead after one inning and never looked back.
Preston Zumwalt led off the bottom of the first with a walk and later scored when Landon Muhlenkamp singled in the game's first run. Brady Liskey then added to their lead with a sacrifice fly to center field, pushing the Tipp lead to 2-0.
Ethan Harney then added another run as he singled in Cayden McKinney to give the Red Devils a 4-0 lead.
The Bees finally broke through in the top of the second. Barker tripled to lead off the inning and came into score when Brennan Montgomery grounded out to short, and Bethel was on the board.
Montgomery came back in the fourth with another run as he singled in Baker, and they cut the deficit to 4-2.
Tipp responded with a walk to Harney, Eckert then singled, and Zumwalt drove in another run when he singled. The Red Devils built on their lead to 5-2.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, needing seven runs to walk off, the Red Devils went to work. Muhlenkamp singled and Liskey walked before Mason Dehus doubled to center, bringing home Xander Wilson and Liskey, making it 7-2. Merry then came into score on a wild pitch, and another error brought home another big run, making it 9-2.
Zumwalt drove in a run on an error, and Jackson ripped a double to bring home another run and put the game-ending runner at second.
After a second out, Fox came across the plate with the game clinching run on a wild pitch to keep the Red Devils unbeaten on the year.
