BLOOMINGTON – Bedford North Lawrence unsheathed the big sticks during an impressive road victory over Bloomington South.
Kline Woodward belted two home runs, part of a BNL barrage that included six extra-base hits, as the Stars conquered the Panthers 9-4 during high school baseball action on Monday evening. BNL (5-2) scored all of its runs during the first three innings.
Woodward connected for a solo shot during a three-run first inning, then crushed a three-run blast in the second. The first came on a 2-2 fastball, the second was a hanging curveball as he enjoyed a two-bomb day for the first time since junior high travel ball.
“It’s awesome,” Woodward said. “I needed that, needed that confidence booster. It’s good for the team. Everyone hit well, we had a great win.”
BNL got started quickly when Cal Gates doubled on the game’s first pitch. He advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on Kaedyn Bennett’s sacrifice fly. After Woodward’s first homer, Ryker Hughes and Walker Ward doubled for a 3-0 lead.
In the second, Nate Pemberton reached on an error and Gates walked. With two outs, Woodward connected again for a 6-1 advantage.
“That was good to see,” Callahan said. “They left it up a little bit, and he went and got it. Good teams need to be able to score with two outs, and we did that several times.“
BNL added three more in the third, again with two outs. Jonny Stone started the rally with a single and Carter Bennett was hit by a pitch. Pemberton lined a RBI single to right, Gates cranked a run-scoring double to right, and Bennett added a RBI single for a 9-1 lead.
“The first three innings, you couldn’t ask for better at-bats and approaches, and results,” Callahan said. “We did enough good stuff to build a lead. We got in a few dicey situations later in the game but were able to get out of them and win a game on the road against a good opponent.”
South loaded the bases in the fifth (and scored twice, although BNL turned a big double play to douse those flames) and again in the sixth. The Stars were able to limit that damage.
Gates and Woodward both had two hits. Cade Mungle worked the first 4 2/3 innings on the mound and struck out 6.
BNL extended its winning streak to four straight.
“We need that, to keep hot and playing well as a team,” Woodward said. “I don’t think anyone cares what their stats are, as long as we win.”
BNL will host West Vigo on Thursday.
