Columbus North High School

May 14, 2023 - Columbus North softball hosted the Columbus North Invitational on Saturday (May 13). The round-robin format featured Columbus East, Connersville, South Bend John Adams, North Harrison, and the host team. North improved to 21-1-1 for the season with a pair of victories, 12-5 over North Harrison, and 10-0 over South Bend Adams. In the opening game, freshman Payton Morris got off to a rough start in the circle, giving up three runs in the top of the first inning. However, she settled down quickly, and the Bull Dogs’ bats did the rest as they cruised to the seven-run victory. Morris threw four innings, allowing four runs (one earned) on just two hits, while walking four and striking out four. Classmate Bailey Scruggs then pitched the last three innings, allowing one run on three hits, striking out five. Josie Lemmons pounded a grand slam in the bottom of the second inning to lead the Bull Dogs at the plate. Maddi Rutan took the circle in game two against South Bend John Adams and threw a one-hit, five-inning shutout. She struck out 13 of the 16 batters she faced after giving up a single on the first pitch of the game. Lemmons continued her hot streak at the plate in game two, going 4-for-4. Morris added three hits, including a double, and Kelsey Lovelace chipped in a pair of singles for North as they exploded for 14 hits against just one strikeout. Columbus North will travel to Jennings County on Tuesday (May 16) and host Hauser on Thursday (May 18) before beginning Sectional play the following week. Photo: Josie Lemmons slaps one of her five hits for the tournament, leading the Dogs to a pair of victories at the Columbus North Invitational on Saturday.