Columbus North’s Will Baker dives back into first base ahead of a tag by Decatur Central’s Jaylen Yates Friday April 8, 2022 at Southside Elementary School.
Tommy Walker | For The Republic
Columbus North trailed by one run heading into the bottom of the sixth inning of Friday’s baseball contest with Decatur Central.
Will Baker scored the tying run for the Bull Dogs in that sixth inning. After the run was scored, the umpires called the game due to darkness.
Rule 4.3B in the IHSAA rulebook states that if a game goes beyond five innings, and the visiting team is ahead, if the home team in their half of the inning scores a run or runs equal the opposing team, and the game is called because of weather conditions or darkness, then it is a tie.
There was lots of confusion following the game as to whether the game would end in a tie, or it would revert to the previous inning, in which the Hawks would have claimed victory. But with rule 4.3B in effect, the game ended in a 6-6 tie after six innings.
During the game, the Bull Dogs (2-0-1) left seven runners stranded, with four in scoring position.
“We were talking about this. We’re getting guys on base with the baserunning. We are getting the ball in play, but we haven’t seemed to get that big hit in that spot,” North coach Pat Antone said.
Baker was one of the top bats in the lineup Friday for North. He hit a two-run triple in the bottom of the second to give the Bull Dogs a 2-1 lead. He hit the leadoff single in the bottom of the sixth and later scored the game-tying run.
“Will Baker is an unbelievable all-around player,” Antone said. “He can hit, pitch and run the bases. He’s the best outfielder I’ve ever coached. He is a leader, too. He competes. He’s one of our leader without a question.”
Baker finished 2 for 3 with a triple, and Kyler Hashman and Joey Fry both hit doubles. On the bump, Zach McLean got the start, going three innings and giving up three runs on five hits and striking out three.
Friday marked the second consecutive night North left its field without a decision. On Thursday, the Bull Dogs were tied with Bloomington North 1-1 after six innings when it was suspended because of darkness. Because that is a Conference Indiana game, it will have to be completed at a later date.
Columbus North was supposed to travel to Jeffersonville today to take on the Red Devils, but the game has been postponed due to the weather. A makeup date has not yet been announced.
