CLARKSVILLE – Providence, ranked No.2 in Class 2A, made the most of only one hit while clipping Bedford North Lawrence 1-0 on Thursday.
The Pioneers (21-3) pushed across their lone run in the second inning, and that was enough as hurlers Gavin Jackson and Luke Kiser combined on the shutout. BNL pitcher Ryker Hughes was sensational, striking out 8, but the Stars couldn’t generate any offense in support.
“We weren’t able to string any hits together,” BNL coach Jeff Callahan said. “We have to string hits together to score runs.”
Providence pushed across its run when Kiser led off with a walk, stole second, and scampered home on Brantley Whitlock’s single to right.
“Ryker pitched lights out,” Callahan said. “You go out and give up one run on one hit, you probably should get the W. Not so tonight. He was very effective, but we couldn’t push one across.”
Cal Gates and Jonny Stone had two hits each as BNL collected six total. The Stars had two runners on in three different innings but stranded seven total runners.
BNL (15-9) will host the Orval Huffman Invitational on Saturday, facing Silver Creek in the opener at 10 a.m. Northview will meet 4A No.8 Mt. Vernon (Fortville) in the other first-round clash.
