Columbus North High School

May 23, 2024 - The Bull Dogs would love to have a redo on one inning against Franklin Community in the opening round of the IHSAA Shelbyville Baseball Sectional. Five runs by the Grizzly Cubs in the top of the fifth inning led to a 5-3 victory over Columbus North, ending the Bull Dogs’ season with a 17-8 record. The Dogs scored two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning when Zach McLean scored from third on a wild pitch and Lane Schrader’s double scored Dillon James from second. The Grizzy Cubs then opened the top of the fifth inning with a solo homerun to cut the lead to 2-1. A pair of fielding errors by North allowed the Cubs to bat around the order and take a 5-2 lead. North tried to rally in the bottom of the seventh inning as Sam Perry led off with a double to left field, advanced to third on a passed ball, and scored on a sacrifice grounder by Connor Hensley to cut the lead to 5-3. Blake Osbourned then drew a walk to bring the tying run to the plate with one out. However, a pop up and a ground out ended the threat and the Bull Dogs’ season. The Dogs tallied only six hits, two by Perry and one each by Brock Kintner, Jayce Emmitt, McLean, and James but managed to outhit the Cubs 6-5. However, seven runners left on base for the game doomed the Dogs. Connor Hensley threw the first five innings, allowing five runs (two earned) on four hits. Ryan Rayburn came on in relief for the final two innings and he gave up just one hit while striking out two. Photo: Sophomore catcher Sam Perry was 2-for-3 with a single and a double and scored a run in a 5-3 sectional baseball loss to Franklin Community. The Dogs season ended with a 17-8 record.