BLOOMINGTON – The trends are all pointing in the right direction for Bedford North Lawrence.
The streaking Stars recorded their seventh consecutive win on Friday night, cruising past Bloomington North 11-1 in a five-inning mercy rule triumph. Macee Nicholson drove in three runs, and BNL took advantage of multiple walks (8) and North errors (5) to conquer the Cougars (4-14).
With the postseason on the near horizon, BNL (13-9-1) is seeking to peak at the perfect time.
“I’m definitely thrilled with the way the trend is going,” BNL coach Brad Gilbert said. “We’ve had some years where we played really well at the beginning and then kind of fizzled at the end. I feel like we’re the opposite this year, we’re getting better each game.”
BNL took control with a six-run second inning. Maddy Figg (RBI ground out), Tori Nikirk (run-scoring single), Ava Ratliff (RBI double), Aliza Jewell (bases-loaded walk) and Nicholson (two-run single) fueled the rally.
The Stars added four runs in the fourth, with Nicholson and Britta Warren adding run-scoring singles.
Nicholson and Jewell both had two hits. Jewell worked the first three innings in the circle before Nicholson and Ratliff each pitched an inning in relief.
“We were patient when we realized we needed to be,” Gilbert said. ”I’m really happy with the way everyone put the ball in play. We were aggressive and made some things happen.”
BNL will host Seymour to finish the Hoosier Hills Conference section of the schedule on Tuesday.
