By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – Bedford North Lawrence won the tough matches, but Salem went the easy route for a 3-2 victory.
The Lions dropped only six games in their three victorious matches, offsetting the two three-set battles BNL claimed, on Thursday, adding a sour ending to the sweet cake celebration for Levi Skees, BNL’s lone senior.
The Stars (2-14) prevailed in marathon matches at No.1 doubles and No.3 singles. With the lineup shuffled to incorporate Skees for his varsity debut, BNL’s Orion Hill and Micah Carter posted a 6-2, 4-6, 10-7 win over Japeth Webb and Hunter Trainor, while Neal Patel shifted to singles to edge Nick Ingram 7-6 (8-6 in the tiebreaker), 3-6, 12-10.
“Our No.1 doubles, as usual, got the job done,” BNL coach Ian Dillman said. “Micah and Orion played a solid first set but let up a little in the second. I was glad we went with the tiebreaker instead of the full third set. That’ll help us with pressure points and keeping us mentally strong in moments like these on the court. I got to hand it to Micah, he stepped up and showed everyone what he’s got. His energy with Orion was great to watch.”
Patel battled back from a 4-1 deficit in the first set, then fought through fatigue in the third.
“Neal was begging for a singles match for the season, so this was the perfect time for him to show me what he can do,” Dillman said. “His mental game and physical strength were tested. Singles is a lot more moving than doubles and Neal could definitely feel it. He got tired in the second set, but rallied back.”
The Lions took the top two singles. Griffen Richards topped Jackson Corey 6-0, 6-1 at No.1, and Carson Albertson handled Braxton Fugate 6-0, 6-2 at No.2. At No.2 doubles, Skees and new partner Wyatt Corbin fell to Gunnar Walton and Landon Irwin 6-1, 6-2.
BNL will visit Floyd Central for the first round of the Hoosier Hills Conference tournament on Monday.
Salem 3, BNL 2
Singles
1 Griffen Richards, S d. Jackson Corey 6-0, 6-1
2 Carson Albertson, S d. Braxton Fugate 6-0, 6-2
3 Neal Patel, BNL d. Nick Ingram 7-6 (8-6), 3-6, 12-10
Doubles
1 Orion Hill and Micah Carter, BNL d. Japeth Webb and Hunter Trainor 6-2, 4-6, 10-7
2 Gunnar Walton and Landon Irwin, S d. Levi Skees and Wyatt Corbin 6-1, 6-2
