By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – Bedford North Lawrence has slumped into a funk at the worst time.
Even with the motivation and emotion of Senior Night, the Stars were bogged down while suffering their fourth straight loss. Providence, ranked No.10 in Class 2A, pounded out 15 hits while cruising to an 11-2 victory over BNL on Thursday night.
After honoring its huge, 10-player senior class during pregame ceremonies, BNL had little to celebrate. The Pioneers scored seven runs in the fourth inning, and the top four batters in their lineup combined for 10 hits, 6 runs and 4 RBIs. With only three regular-season games remaining, the Stars have work to do if they want to spark a quick turnaround for the postseason.
“That’s not the result anybody wanted,” BNL coach Jeff Callahan said. “We’re guaranteed less than a week left. We have a few games left to shake some things out and see what we can do.”
Providence (15-7) took the lead in the second when Lucas Mauk drew a two-out walk and scored on Brian Wall’s soft double to right. The Pioneers added three more in the third.
BNL made its only noise in the third. Kline Woodward singled, Cal Gates lashed a double to center, and Cade Mungle lofted a sacrifice fly. Cam Gates singled in the second run.
Providence responded with its big inning, sending 11 batters to the plate. Gavin Jackson, Connor Sad and Cole Huett had the run-scoring hits.
“I liked our approach at the plate,” Providence coach Tre Watson said. “We swung the bats well. Senior Nights are always tough both ways. We just tried to get them focused.”
Luke Kruer went 5-for-5 while Huett and Jackson had two hits each.
“Their top four hitters are really good,” Callahan said. “They hit the ball well. The bottom of the order has been killing us, and those guys hurt us because they got on for the guys at the top.”
Woodward allowed 12 hits and 11 runs (7 earned) in 3 2/3 innings on the mound. Walker Ward was 3 for 3 while Cam Gates had two hits for the Stars (13-10). BNL’s honor class included Carter Bennett, Isaac Daria, Noah Godlevske, Ryker Hughes, Cade Mungle, Maddox Ray, Trace Rynders, Gavin Sherrill, Ward and Woodward.
Their time is starting to count down unless the current skid can be halted.
“We’re at the point where we’ve struggled over the last week and a half, and if we don’t get it straightened out, it could be a struggle next week (in the sectional),” Callahan said. “That’s not what anybody wants. We have to make some adjustments.”
BNL will face Charlestown and Brownsburg in the annual Orval Huffman Tournament on Saturday.
