Huskies drop rainy opener to Sandy
SANDY - North Marion could only muster five hits off of Sandy pitcher Nick Shaffer as the reigning 5A State Champions prevailed 4-1 in a drizzly season opener at Sandy High School.
The Huskies (0-1) three-game winning streak on opening day games was snapped, playing a season opener away from the friendly confines of Bob Brack Stadium for the first time since 2010.
Sandy got on the scoreboard in their first at bats of the season, scratching across a run in the bottom of the first off of North Marion starter Jordan Kendall. The Pioneers used a hit, a walk, and a fielder's choice to take an early 1-0 edge.
The Huskies tied things up in the top of the third -- the only inning in which they recorded multiple hits. Freshman Andy Schmitz didn't wait long to record his first career hit, singling to left-center to begin the inning. Schmitz would come around to score on an RBI single off the bat of Senior Emry Patterson.
Hunter Beachy relieved Kendall in the home-half of the third, where the Pioneers recorded one run off of the Huskies' side-arming reliever.
Sandy tacked on a couple of insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth off of Schmitz, although only one run was earned.
Dylan Doubrava and Patterson each recorded two hits, accounting for four of the Huskies five hits. None of the game's 11 hits were of the extra-base variety.
Kendall (2.0 IP), Beachy (3.0 IP), and Schmitz (1.0 IP) each gave up one earned run. Kendall recorded the team's only three strikeouts.
UP NEXT
North Marion is set to open up the home schedule on Wednesday against former Tri-Valley Conference rival La Salle Prep. The Huskies and Falcons combined to account for the last five Tri-Valley Conference titles before La Salle jumped to 5A and North Marion switched conferences. First pitch is set for 5:00pm from Bob Brack Stadium.