By Evan Reller
IUPUI Student Journalist
LAWRENCE – Class 4A top-ranked Indianapolis Cathedral put up 11 runs in the bottom of the first inning May 22 and coasted to an 11-0 victory in five innings over visiting Perry Meridian.
Perry left-handed senior Jeffery Woodall gave up eight runs in an opening frame that saw him throw more than 50 pitches. He was never able to finish off a batter as he let a batter on base with two strikes on six occasions.
Woodall was replaced by right-handed junior David Oleary, who gave up three runs on his first pitch. But Oleary was able to pitch well enough to prevent anymore Cathedral runs for the rest of the game.
Cathedral’s offensive was clicking in the first inning. Senior center fielder Scott Miller led off with a double to left-center field. Sophomore left fielder Ryan Levenhagen, who ended up being walked on all three of his plate appearances, received a base on balls. Junior right fielder Dillon Peters then doubled Miller in for the first run of the game.
The Fighting Irish (25-1) were nearly able to get through their entire rotation twice in that opening inning. Junior shortstop Phil Mosey was hit by a pitch in his first at-bat but came back later in the first to drive in three runs on a double before thrown out at third. Junior first baseman Corey Colquitt, meanwhile, was hit by pitches in the first inning by both Falcon pitchers.
Senior third baseman Tommy Farrell continued the onslaught by doubling home two runs before designated hitter Ian Cureton singled to the left side of the infield before getting picked off at first. Freshman catcher Austin Sparks singled home a run, and sophomore second baseman Matt Dauby singled to bring on the fishing change.
Perry Meridian (8-10) was never able to get anything going on offense. Junior second baseman Ross Collins and junior shortstop Kyle Rupe each had hits in the first inning, but that was the extent of the Falcons’ offense.
Cathedral sophomore righty Nick McCarty pitched excellently, never facing more than four batters in any inning. He threw just 46 pitches in five innings en route to the win, finishing with two strikeouts including three in a row to retire the final Falcon batter.
“We left some runs on the field in the third inning, but we played a solid game,” said Cathedral coach Rich Andriole, who was happy that his team was able to capitalize off Perry’s poor pitching early on. “Even with such a large early lead, you can’t really let up – but you also don’t want to run the score up on someone.”
Cathedral returns to action again at Heritage Christian May 24 before competing in the North Central (Indianapolis) Sectional (the Irish will face either Lawrence North or Indianapolis Arlington in the bye game May 31). Perry Meridian, meanwhile, will host North Central May 24 before battling Greenwood May 26 in the Whiteland Sectional opener.
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