Base: Lawrence Central hands 4A #5 Bloomington South its first defeat, 5-3

LAWRENCE – Class 4A unranked host Lawrence Central handed 4A fifth-ranked Bloomington South its first loss of the season April 28, downing the Panthers 5-3 in a back-and-forth battle that evens out the Conference Indiana race.

Bloomington South took the initial lead in the first inning when junior third baseman Joe Forney knocked in junior second baseman Kevin Swango. But the Bears were able to regain the lead in the bottom of the frame when junior second baseman Brandon Krieg doubled and was batted in by Alex Chittenden, who in turn was plated by senior Jimmy Midence. 

An error at the plate by Bloomington South junior catcher John Robertson aided Lawrence Central (9-3 overall, 3-1 in Conference Indiana play) in taking their first lead at 2-1. 

But Bloomington South (12-1, 3-1) went back up in the top of the third when hits from Swango and junior Colton Wininger were followed up with an RBI double from freshman outfielder Nolan Rodgers, making it 3-2 in favor of unbeaten Bloomington. But the scoring would end there for the Panthers.

Lawrence Central rallied in the fourth inning, with senior outfielder Matt Jefferson smacking a two-run homer to put the Bears up 4-3. Senior outfielder Chris Hoopingarner than added an RBI single to make the final margin 5-3.

LC junior Jared Ruxer finished with 10 strikeouts – including three in row to close out the game in the seventh – in going the distance for the pitching victory. Senior Tyler Jordan also pitched the entire game for Bloomington South, ending with six strikeouts.

Lawrence Central is back in action April 30-May 1 with a trio of road games at Evansville Harrison and 3A No. 13 Evansville Memorial, while Bloomington South returns home for a Friday clash with Terre Haute North.