SEYMOUR – Bedford North Lawerence exploded for four runs in the top of the six inning to conquer Seymour 4-0 in the Class 4A sectional semifinal on Saturday.
Walker Ward and Ryker Hughes combined on a four-hitter, and Carter Bennett ignited the late rally with a huge two-out, two-run double as the Stars (17-11) advanced to the championship game (to face No.4 Floyd Central, a 14-3 winner over Jennings County in six innings in the second semifinal) on Monday morning.
BNL, which won the regular-season clash with the Owls 5-4 on April 15, broke through in the tense pitcher’s duel as the bottom of the batting order came up huge against Seymour starter Mikey Wright, and the Stars escaped a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the bottom of the seventh.
“The kids played great,” BNL coach Jeff Callahan said. “I’m so happy for them. It was a true team effort.
“In big games, against good teams, in big moments, it comes down to the team that gets the key hits. It was a whole team effort.”
BNL’s big moments came from Bennett (a two-run double to right), Cade Mungle (a run-scoring double to center) and Trace Rynders (a RBI single against Seymour reliever Gavin Leavy) in the sixth.
“Both pitchers pitched well, matched each other inning for inning,” Callahan said. “We finally broke through with some big two-out hits.”
Ward was sensational through six-plus innings, striking out eight and allowing only one extra-base hit.
“He pitched his guts out,” Callahan said. “We’ve seen that in Walker this year. When he gets his secondary pitches over, he’s tough. He was tough on their hitters.”
“I mixed all my pitches pretty well, got them off balance,” Ward said. “They were out in front of the curve and changeup, and when I threw the fastball they were late. It worked out really well. I knew the offense would come eventually. He’s a good pitcher and I knew it would take time to get used to him. I’m glad we started scoring runs.”
Seymour (15-8) did not go quietly. Brady Harpe walked to start the seventh, and pinch-hitter Shotaro Takeuchi singled up the middle. Callahan summoned Hughes to put out the fire, although he walked the first batter. But he responded with a strikeout, a foul out to Mungle in foul ground near first base, and a final strikeout to end the threat.
“You get a little worried,” Callahan said. “But Ryker got a big strikeout, Cade made a nice play near the fence, and we were able to get the last guy out.”
“I trusted him,” Ward said. “I knew he would get out of that situation. I’m glad he dominated like he always does. He was able to back me up and win this game for us.”
Mungle had two hits. Wright fanned seven in 5 2/3 innings.
BNL will now chase its first sectional title since 2017 (and 15th overall).
“I feel like we’re absolutely ready for it,” Ward said.
“We have to do the things we’ve talked about all year,” Callahan said. “If our pitchers throw strikes, if we make plays behind them, come up with some key hits, it should be a heck of a game. If we play well, we’ll have a chance.”
The finale is set for 11 a.m. on Monday. Game assignments for the regional (scheduled for June 1) will be announced on Wednesday.
