Bonnell lifts Twin Lakes past Harrison

BY JEFF WASHBURN • JWASHBURN@JCONLINE.COM • MAY 21, 2009


Considering Twin Lakes junior pitcher Tabby Bonnell's state of mind during the 25-minute bus ride from Monticello to Harrison on Wednesday, it's amazing she got through the first inning.

"They are really good," Bonnell said of the Class 4A Raiders. "I'm not new at pitching, but I have butterflies every time out.

"Facing a high quality team like Harrison, the butterflies flap a lot harder, especially on the bus on the way here. I was thinking, 'Oh, no, what can go wrong?' "

Not only did the nervous Bonnell finish the first inning, the right-hander pitched a complete-game seven-hitter in Twin Lakes' 1-0 victory.

Bonnell provided the game's only run, lining an 0-2 pitch for an RBI single with two outs in the top of the fifth, driving home catcher Sarah McIlrath, who opened the inning with a single.

"It was a protective swing," Bonnell said. "The pitch was outside, and I just carried it where it was suppose to go. It dropped in. It felt good right off the bat.

"This is great, because this is the game we have been looking forward to. We know going into the sectional that there are going to be quality teams like this every single day."

Harrison (19-7), which has lost consecutive games to Carmel, Noblesville and Twin Lakes, threatened to win it in the bottom of the sixth.

With runners at second and third with two outs, losing pitcher Morgan Stephens (10-4) lined a shot that Bonnell reached down and fielded, throwing Stephens out at first.

"All of them when you field them on the pitcher's mound are tough," Bonnell said. "You put your glove down there, and whoa, there it is.

"You have to calm yourself and make a good throw to first. Had that ball gotten by me, it would have been awful. I looked down, and I felt it hit. I was like, 'Is this real?' "

Twin Lakes coach Desiree Swaim was well aware Bonnell was nervous in anticipation of facing the Hoosier Crossroads Conference opponent.

"(Bonnell) helped herself with her offense as well as with her pitching," Swaim said. "That was awesome. She did an absolutely outstanding job. She was a little nervous coming in. We were like, 'Why?' She did the job."

win Lakes' defense, led by shortstop Katie Reiff, second baseman Hillary Banks and right fielder Presley Estes, was excellent, turning a pair of double plays.

"Absolutely, we made the plays in the field," Swaim said. "Everybody played well. We were struggling at the bat at the beginning and made adjustments.

"It absolutely is a good game for us going into the sectional. This last week, we've seen slower pitchers. This week, we were eager to play Harrison."

For Harrison coach Abby Willis, it was a matter of situational hitting. During the consecutive losses to Carmel, Noblesville and Twin Lakes, the Raiders have 12 total hits and three runs.

"We had a lot of hits, just not the timely one," Willis said. "At this point, we have played a lot of good softball. We are not happy with losses, but we've practiced only three times this entire month because of makeup games and rain.

"So, we're using our games as practice. We're really trying to prepare for the sectional. We're trying to execute plays, bunting and slaps ... all of the finesse things. I was happy with what they did at the plate. (Twin Lakes) made some phenomenal defensive plays. They are a good glove team."

(All photos are the property of the Brent Drinkut and the Lafayette Journal & Courier -- please do not copy without permission)

By Brent Drinkut/Journal & Courier -- Harrison's Jordyn Garrett hits a ball against Twin Lakes on Wednesday, May 20, 2009.


By Brent Drinkut/Journal & Courier -- Twin Lakes third baseman Chelsea Hicks tags out Harrison base runner Michelle Henrich during a game on Wednesday, May 20, 2009.


By Brent Drinkut/Journal & Courier -- Twin Lakes second baseman Sarah McIlrath attempts to tag Harrison's Abbey Scowden on Wednesday, May 20, 2009.


By Brent Drinkut/Journal & Courier -- Harrison center fielder Haley Baker catches a pop fly against Twin Lakes on Wednesday, May 20, 2009.


By Brent Drinkut/Journal & Courier -- Harrison catcher Ashley Courtney throws the ball back to the pitcher against Twin Lakes on Wednesday, May 20, 2009.


By Brent Drinkut/Journal & Courier -- Harrison's Jaden Spitznagle bats against Twin Lakes on Wednesday, May 20, 2009.


By Brent Drinkut/Journal & Courier -- Harrison center fielder Haley Baker scoops up a ball against Twin Lakes on Wednesday, May 20, 2009.


By Brent Drinkut/Journal & Courier -- Harrison third baseman Megan Huston throws to first for a force out against Twin Lakes on Wednesday, May 20, 2009.


By Brent Drinkut/Journal & Courier -- Harrison shortstop Megan Mitchell looks back towards the dugout against Twin Lakes on Wednesday, May 20, 2009.


By Brent Drinkut/Journal & Courier -- Harrison pitcher Morgan Stephens winds up against Twin Lakes on Wednesday, May 20, 2009.

Harrison girls outpoint WL for track sectional title

BY NATHAN BAIRD • NBAIRD@JCONLINE.COM • MAY 20, 2009

Harrison's girls track team established itself as the sectional favorite with a City/County championship two weeks ago.

As the sectional approached, the Raiders adjusted to their front-runner status.

"We knew we kind of had a target on our back, but it didn't really stop us at all," Harrison senior Natalie Newton said. "We just kept going and it made us want it even more."

Harrison's athletes huddled quietly on the Scheumann Stadium track Tuesday night, then erupted when announced as the 2009 sectional champion. The Raiders won their first title since 2004 and ended West Lafayette's four-year championship reign by outscoring the Red Devils 155.5-123.

Harrison's only victories came from Newton in the 100 hurdles and the 1,600 relay team. But the Raiders scored at least four points in each event and held a 44.5-16 edge over runner-up West Lafayette in field event points.

"We are so deep in a lot of our events," said Harrison junior Rachel Krauss, a regional qualifier in three events. "We work together; we push each other. We have so much competition within our team that we live on it. That's our fire."

A record-setting performance by Kelsey Lewark and Ellen MacDonald's three victories led second-place West Lafayette. The top four finishers in each event advance to next week's West Lafayette Regional.

Newton produced the meet's biggest surprise by upsetting defending champion Queennetta Reese of Lafayette Jeff in the 100 hurdles. Newton's time of 15.31 won outright, but Reese was later disqualified for knocking one of her hurdles into a competitor's lane.

"I never really thought that it would actually happen," said Newton, who had never beaten Reese. "... As soon as I crossed the finish line I knew I had a smile on my face and couldn't really take it off, so it felt pretty good."

Krauss teamed with Abbie Newton, Amanda Elmore and Taylor VanArsdel to win the meet-ending 1,600 relay.

Lewark went out fast in the 1,600 and held a substantial lead throughout. The crowd, which followed Lewark's record-challenging progress on the scoreboard, cheered the senior's approach to the finish.
Though she tripped and fell past the line, Lewark won in a time of 5:12.29 that eclipsed former West Side runner Jessica Gall's meet record by two hundredths of a second. The New Mexico-bound runner thought she had fallen off the record pace.

"When I was on the front stretch I could hear the crowd start to kind of go, 'Ooooooh,' and I was like, oh, I'm close," said Lewark, who overtook teammate Linsey Daluga to win the 3,200. "So then I really tried and just booked it to the line."

MacDonald won the 100 and 200 and ran the anchor leg of the Red Devils' victorious 400 relay. She was also waiting and ready to run in the 1,600 relay if the team title had still been in doubt.

"In the beginning it used to stress me out a little bit," said MacDonald, a sophomore who owns four individual sectional titles and two relay championships in her short career. "But now I think it really makes me stronger, so I don't even mind."

Emily Bittner led off the Red Devils' 400 and 800 relay winners and later won the 400. Jessica Bernard also ran on both winning relays.

Reese recovered from the 100 hurdles disappointment to defend her 300 hurdles title. Esther Tirado (800) and Sherri Wilson (shot put) also won for the Bronchos.

Frankfort senior Christen Kuzmicz won the pole vault and discus.

Delphi senior Olivia George (high jump) and Clinton Prairie senior Courtney Hodgen (long jump) also won.


By Jamie Lynn Chevillet/ Journal & Courier-- Marissa Frank of Harrison competes in the Discus Throw at the 2009 IHSAA Girls Track Sectional Meet at Lafayette Jefferson High School on Tuesday, May 19, 2009.


By Jamie Lynn Chevillet/ Journal & Courier-- Jacklyn Williams of Harrison competes in the High Jump at the 2009 IHSAA Girls Track Sectional Meet at Lafayette Jefferson High School on Tuesday, May 19, 2009.


By Jamie Lynn Chevillet/ Journal & Courier-- Chelsea McKay of Harrison competes in the High Jump at the 2009 IHSAA Girls Track Sectional Meet at Lafayette Jefferson High School on Tuesday, May 19, 2009.

Softball Sectional Pairings released

Want to come watch some dynamite action on the diamond this spring. Harrison is hosting the 2009 Softball Sectionals. Here are the pairings:


Monday – May 25

6:00pm Kokomo vs. Logansport

Tuesday – May 26

5:30pm McCutcheon vs. Lafayette Jeff
7:30pm Harrison vs. Winner of Game #1

Thursday – May 28

7:00pm Championship Game

See you in the stands!

RAIDER UP!

Raider Golf: Jeff takes round 1 against Harrison

BY JEFF WASHBURN • JWASHBURN@JCONLINE.COM • MAY 13, 2009

BATTLE GROUND -- Tuesday's high school golf showdown between 12th-ranked Lafayette Jeff and rival Harrison lost some of its luster before it began.

That's because the Raiders' Justin Terry, who led Harrison to victory in Saturday's Northfield Invitational with a 4-over-par 75, injured his right wrist Tuesday morning on his way to school and could not play against the Bronchos.

When a car stopped abruptly in front of Terry, the Raider golfer slammed on his brakes to avoid a collision and suffered a sprain when his hand jammed into the steering wheel.

While Jeff didn't play its A game, the Bronchos got a 7-over-par 79 from Jacob Yocum, an 80 from Jacob Wagner and an 83 from Sam Troemel on their way to a 327-337 victory at the Battle Ground Golf Club.

Harrison got an 80 from Luke Brzezinski and 82s from Tyler Williams and Nik Cross, but without Terry, its fourth-best score was Tyler Renicker's 93.

"I was really excited for today," Brzezinski said. "I thought we maybe could pull it off, but they are really good. I have a lot of respect for them.

"I played good, but my short game wasn't on. I think we can play a lot better than we did today with Terry. Terry can bring us a good score. I think we can do pretty well in the sectional."

The foes will meet again on Monday in the Hoosier Crossroads Conference meet at Bear Slide. Then they likely will battle for Lafayette Sectional honors on June 5.

In the past 10 seasons, Jeff has won six Lafayette Sectional championships, and Harrison has won the other four.

"It's a big rivalry," Yocum said. "We always look forward to playing them. Every time we play, it's for bragging rights."

Yocum said neither team had much to brag about on Tuesday.

"We struggled today, but coming down the stretch, we got help from our fifth man (Troemel)," Yocum said. "I thought the course played tough today. It's the first time we've been back here in about two weeks.

"I like where we're at right now as far as potential. We've got the Hoosier Crossroads Conference on Monday, and I like our chances. (Bear Slide) is a tough course."

Harrison coach Dave Schneider refused to use Terry's injury as an excuse for a 10-stroke loss to the Bronchos.

"He probably would have made a difference, but we have to have somebody else step up," Schneider said. "Our first three guys played pretty well, and we will get Justin back.

"But we are struggling for that fifth score. We need somebody to step up and play No. 5, and so far, we haven't had anybody take that to task. We will see what happens."

Harrison's state tournament chances also could be bolstered if 2008 Lafayette Regional qualifier Justin Woods returns from a hand injury that has sidelined him most of the season.

Woods has two more weeks in a cast and then two weeks during which he will not be allowed to swing a club.

Swinging clubs, according to Jeff coach Dick Murray, is what the Bronchos will be doing lots of during the next several days.

"For the most part, we've had three solid scores," Murray said. "We're trying to find a solid fourth and fifth. We're getting closer. Tonight wasn't a very pretty outing.

"We need to hit the practice tee and the practice green. We've got a few days to do that now. We've got to work out some things."

Murray looks forward to more competition against the Raiders.

"It will be interesting," Murray said. "Look at the last 10 years, and the sectional titles have been won by the two of us."

Harrison ends West Lafayette girls' City/County reign

BY NATHAN BAIRD • NBAIRD@JCONLINE.COM • MAY 6, 2009




Harrison freshman Chelsea McKay's athletic performance at Tuesday night's City/County Track and Field Meet only displayed part of her versatility.

After winning the 400, which followed an earlier victory in the high jump, McKay left the meet to sing in a school choir function. She didn't return in time to compete in the meet-ending 1,600 relay, but she and a pack of Raiders swarmed Rachel Krauss after her victorious anchor leg.

"I have to be here for my team; track is my thing, and my team is my life," McKay said. "If I had missed that (celebration), I would have been devastated."

That celebration was a long time coming. The relay victory secured Harrison's City/County team championship and broke West Lafayette's four-year hold on the title.

"We've just been waiting to build the program up, and this is the year; we finally took it," said Harrison senior Jorden Traver, who edged Lafayette Jeff's Courtney Rishel by one inch to win the discus with an effort of 102 feet, 2 inches.

Harrison's other wins came from Katie Vierk in the pole vault, Jacklyn Williams in the shot put and Laura Bess in the 1,600. The Raiders held a 51-18 points edge over West Lafayette in the field events.

Ellen MacDonald won the 100 and 200 and ran on a victorious 400 relay squad for the Red Devils, who finished second by 10 points.

"We did everything we could to win the meet, and we just were not good enough to beat them," WL coach Lane Custer said. "And that's no shame whatsoever. That's a good team."

The evening's biggest surprise came in the 1,600. West Lafayette senior Linsey Daluga and sophomore Kaisa Goodman owned the top two seeds by a comfortable margin.

Third-seeded Bess lopped 21 seconds off her seed time, and her effort of 5:22.64 won by almost six seconds.

McKay defended her top seed in the high jump by edging Williams. She and classmate Taylor VanArsdel were seeded third and fourth in the 400 but were the first two to finish.

"Laura Bess, we told her she really set the tone for this meet when she went out and had an amazing race in the 1,600," Harrison coach Faith Turnpaugh Warner said.

"And then Chelsea and Taylor came out and (finished 1-2) in the 400. ... We had some great performances from kids that we hadn't necessarily thought we would get."

Lafayette Jeff senior Queennetta Reese capped four years of City/County dominance in the hurdles. Victories in the 100 (15.67) and 300 (47.44) gave her a four-year sweep of both events.

"I worked really hard to get here, and I'm proud of what I've done today," Reese said. "This is the first step. Sectionals, regionals, state ... I'm coming. It's only the beginning."

Calling out to all spring sports fans...

Sick of reading about softball?!! Please send me an article and/or pics from other Raider spring venues so that we can share them with the world!!

Pass the antacids, please...

Monday night found the Harrison softball team jetting down I-65 for a match-up against the Zionsville Eagles.

The JV diamond got rolling first -- and roll they did.

Here is freshman phenom Molly Spitznagle keeping things zippin' from the circle! (Remember that name, folks, we are talking 'just wait to see what's to come!' from this young lady!)

Focused intensity down the third base line -- gotta love it!

Raider first baseman Nikki Harrison: "This is so easy, I can do it with my eyes closed!"


The JV Raiders would post a 5-0 victory!

Meanwhile, over on the varsity diamond, Ashley "The Machine" Courtney is at it again -- love to see this girl hit!

An Eagles batter got a hold of a hanging riseball and sent it into center field, but no worries, Haley Baker's got it--doesn't she?

Senior leader Michelle Henrich grinding out the basepaths for the Raiders

Uh-oh -- seems that Zionsville thirdbaseman has it out for you, Michelle!

Ashley getting ready to gobble one up behind the plate

OK, now I am not usually one to talk finances, but this season has me presenting one piece of advice to all Raider Softball fans -- invest in Zantac stock! (that would be a big-time antacid medication -- great for those of us living under too much stress!) Here we are, bottom of seven -- well, I will let the scoreboard speak for itself:

Stephens in the circle, bases loaded, Raider defense at the ready....

Here's the pitch...

STRIKE THREE!!!!!!!!!! (on to extra innings, once again this season!!)

The Raiders and Eagles stayed tangled at zero for two more innings. (Perhaps someone needs to tell these ladies these games are supposed to be played out in seven innings....)

Top of ten: outstanding second baseman Jaden Spitznagle (oh, how I wish I had been in position to capture her amazing hanging onto the bag to get the girl out at first play earlier -- splendid!!!) (oh, did I mention she's a freshman! Yeah --the future looks bright for the Raiders!!) -- oh, back to the top of the tenth... Jaden drew a walk to start then inning. Then, Mighty Mouse was up to bat (that would be Miss Haley Baker) and she drops a pretty little shot into shallow right -- uh hah -- that's what we're talking about!

Here Baker tells Coach Mike Willis, "You may kiss my hand." (well, maybe not, but he probably would have!).

A little mishandling in the field and Miss Jaden is on her way home! Is it just me, or does she look like she is being so polite as she scores?!

Who does that bring up?!! "The Machine" Ashley Courtney who, once again, smacks it! (yeah, I know, Ashley hits another clutch hit this season--it's getting boring...NOT!!).

Unfortunately, they got Haley at third. But that's just two outs and here comes JG (Jordyn Garrett)-- the Queen of Smack (as in with the bat, not talkin'!).

And, then, the call of the night!! This shot is certainly no where near in focus, but clear enough to tell the story -- Garrett beat out the throw! Alas, the field umpire did not agree and a called the third out.

BUT, there is a happy ending to our potentially soured tale, the Raiders defense held on in the bottom of the tenth and the victory was theirs, 1-0.

Hat's off to both sides -- the Lady Eagles played one heck of a game against our Raiders and no one can complain about a lack of excitment!

Now, as we head to the field at Harrison to watch our Raiders face the Brownsburg Bulldogs this evening--Ladies, do you think you could just win it in seven?!!

Softball continues to storm the field

OK, waaaay too much time has pasted since I have last had a chance to update the world on the AWESOME Raider Softball team -- and I really don't have time right now. BUT, I simply cannot face Coach Abby tomorrow night without having put up something, so here is my brief, but ever powerful blog entry for tonight:

10-1, baby!! That's right, the Raider Ladies are kickin' butt!!

I'll try to get to the play-by-play soon, but here are a few tidbits from the weekends' action and a glimpse of their shining faces after adding two more tally marks to the victory column Saturday (defeating CC 5-0 and Frontier 7-0).

Brooke Jordan, bringin' the heat for Raiders (another shut-out from the circle as Harrison blanks CC Saturday morning)

Whoa! Can you see the ball? No? Neither can anyone else because it's OVER THE FENCE -- Megan Mitchell cranks a two run homer in the 4th

Oh, the drama! This play at second is too close to call (although the field umpire called #23 out).

Jordyn Garrett with a sweet swing of the bat for another Raider hit!

I'm not sure about her pitching skills, but Morgan Stephens wins hands down in the "most animated facial expressions" categories (oh, you should see what I could have posted!!) -- OK, her pitching isn't too bad either -- 17Ks, one hit v. Frontier on Saturday

Haley Baker shows why she's known as "Super Slider" (oh, she's not?! perhaps she should be -- have you thought of that?!)

Aren't they just tooooooo cute! All that beauty -- and they can take you down, too!

"Huh? What? Are any of you listening to me? Ever?!!"

Catcher Extraordinaire -- Ashley Courtney

Don't ask -- even those present couldn't figure this one out.

Here's what Nathan Baird of the Lafayette Journal & Courier had to say about the games: Harrison's 1-2 punch knocks out CC, Frontier BY NATHAN BAIRD • NBAIRD@JCONLINE.COM • MAY 3, 2009 Brooke Jordan set the tone for Harrison's pitching excellence on Saturday. Morgan Stephens followed with another dose of dominance. The Raiders duo, reunited after an arm injury kept Jordan out of the pitching circle for two weeks, allowed three total hits in shutout victories over Central Catholic and Class A No. 8 Frontier. "It's always been a competition between us, but when it comes down to the end, we're a team and we're teammates," said Jordan, who has not allowed an earned run in 37 innings this season. "Other teams are our competition. We're not against each other, we're together." Jordan threw a two-hitter and struck out eight in a 5-0 victory over Central Catholic. Stephens fanned 17 and took a no-hitter into the sixth before settling for a one-hit, 6-0 win. In between, the Knights avenged last year's regional loss by edging Frontier 8-7. Including three straight victories by Stephens before Saturday, Harrison pitchers have allowed one run in their last 35 innings. That run came in a 1-0 loss to Lake Central, the only blemish on the Raiders' 10-1 record. "It's awesome to have that two-pitcher system, and to know that if I struggle she can come in, or vice versa," Stephens said. "You always do, in the back of your mind, think you want to pitch just as well. I don't think it's really wanting to out-do her. Both of you want to succeed and you want to do it for the team." Jordan (4-0) hadn't pitched since a four-hit shutout at Portage on April 18. The junior said she began experiencing forearm pain after pitching a 14-inning victory over Logansport in the second game of the season. "I was a little nervous to see how I would do," Jordan said. "I knew I had my defense behind me. We did our hitting part, so I didn't really have anything to worry about." Megan Mitchell's two-run home run in the fourth inning against CC gave Jordan a 3-0 cushion. Mitchell also went 3-for-3 against Frontier, and her two-run double in the first provided all the support Stephens needed. Stephens (6-1) struck out the side in the second, fourth, fifth and sixth innings and has fanned 87 in 47 innings this season. Frontier No. 9 hitter Audrey Barnard slapped a single to left field with one out in the sixth to break up the no-hitter. Natalee Gruse's RBI groundout for CC in the top of the seventh broke a 5-5 tie against Frontier. An errant throw across the diamond on the play allowed Brittney Adams to score an important insurance run. Chelsey Heath's RBI groundout in the bottom of the seventh pulled the Falcons within one. But Gruse, who pitched the first five innings and went back out for the seventh, coaxed a pair of groundouts to end the game. "We knew we had to hit and that's what we focused on coming in and that's what we did," said Gruse, who finished with four RBIs. The Falcons committed five errors against CC that led to three unearned runs -- including both runs in the seventh. "When you make errors like that, there's no way you can come back," said Frontier senior Kelsey Mullen, who went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs but took the loss. "We just had a really terrible defensive game."

Raiders Edge Mavs in Eight Innings

BY NATHAN BAIRD • NBAIRD@JCONLINE.COM • APRIL 30, 2009

Neither Rennie Troggio nor Ryan Black had been on the field for a Harrison baseball victory over McCutcheon.

The Raider infielders sensed their teammates' motivation to end that streak building all day.

"Right when we got here after school, we were all pumped up, because we love playing McCutcheon," said Troggio, a senior. "Even during warm-ups, we stepped it up a little bit, because we knew it was a big game."

It took eight innings, but Harrison broke a pair of McCutcheon winning streaks. Black doubled to lead off the bottom of the eighth and scored on Patrick Alkire's bases-loaded ground out to give the Raiders a 4-3 home victory.

Cory Woolard earned the victory with three scoreless innings in relief of Austin Schutter. Harrison (4-8, 3-5 Hoosier Crossroads Conference), which broke McCutcheon's five-game winning streak, hadn't beaten their rivals since the 2006 Class 4A Lafayette Jeff Sectional opener.

"It's just a great win for the whole team," said Black, who went 2-for-4 and scored twice. "It's always so sweet to beat a county rival like that."

Levi Evans doubled leading off the top of the eighth for McCutcheon (8-6, 4-3). That was the only runner allowed by Woolard, who recorded a strikeout, a pop out and a groundout to get out of the inning.

Including five innings against Schutter, who overcame a popped blister on his throwing hand, the Mavericks stranded eight runners, including five in scoring position.

"If we do some situational hitting -- a strikeout doesn't help us, a pop-up doesn't help us," McCutcheon coach Jake Burton said of the top of the eighth.

"We need a ground ball to the other side to move the guy to third and put a little pressure on them."

McCutcheon starter Nick Wittgren (2-3) pitched nine innings in a victory over Jeff on Saturday.

He allowed four hits over seven innings Wednesday before Black doubled on a 2-0 pitch leading off the eighth.

The Mavericks walked Troggio intentionally before Tyler Dunk's sacrifice bunt attempt rolled past the mound for a single that loaded the bases.

Alkire chopped the first pitch he saw to the right side, but McCutcheon second baseman Chas Price had no chance to throw Black out at home.

"When Woolard got those three guys out, we knew we were going to come up and win that game," said Troggio, who went 2-for-3 with two RBIs.

"That's what we were talking about right here in front of the dugout. We wanted to win right there, and we did it."

Harrison led 2-0 before McCutcheon senior Montana Timmons keyed a three-run fifth inning with a two-out, two-run single.

Troggio's game-tying, two-out single in the bottom of the inning scored freshman Nick Bartolone.

Woolard entered in the top of the sixth and set a tone by striking out the first two Mavericks he faced.

"Every time he's pitched this year, he's so focused," Harrison coach Brent Harmon said of Woolard. "... He's done an awesome job for us this year."

By Jamie Lynn Chevillet/ Journal & Courier-- Harrison's Rennie Troggio connects with the ball in the game against McCutcheon at Harrison High School on Wednesday, April 29, 2009.


By Jamie Lynn Chevillet/ Journal & Courier-- Harrison's Rennie Troggio throws the ball to first in the game against McCutcheon at Harrison High School on Wednesday, April 29, 2009.


By Jamie Lynn Chevillet/ Journal & Courier-- Harrison Nick Bartolone runs to home plate and scores in the game against McCutcheon in West Lafayette on Wednesday, April 29, 2009.


By Jamie Lynn Chevillet/ Journal & Courier-- Harrison's Cory Woolard pitched toward the end of the game against McCutcheon in West Lafayette on Wednesday, April 29, 2009.

Special thanks to both Nathan Baird and Jamie Lynn Chevillet of the Lafayette Journal & Courier for allowing us to post their outstanding work here on RaiderUp!.