BNL Stars at the “McDonalds Double Play Tournament” hosted by Vincennes Lincoln

For the fourth straight year, the BNL Varsity Stars traveled to Vincennes to take part in the season opening tournament. The Stars opened up with a victory over the Patriots of Terre Haute North by the score of 8-5. The Stars led early (4-3 after 5 innings); however, the Patriots scored 2 runs in the top of 6th to take the lead back, 5-4. The Stars answered in the bottom of the 6th with 4 runs and stayed on top to finish the game.

Final score: BNL Stars 8 - Terre Haute North 5

On Saturday, the Stars faced the Edgewood Mustangs. BNL jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Edgewood would tie the game at two in the bottom of the 3rd inning. The Stars answered with 2 runs in the 4th inning, 1 run in the 5th , and 6 runs in the 6th .

Final score: BNL Stars 11- Edgewood Mustangs 2

In the championship game, the Stars battled the Bears of Evansville Central. BNL jumped out to an early 3-0 lead after the first inning and never looked back. The Stars added 3 runs in the 3rd inning and 5 runs in the 5th inning to extend the lead to 10-2. Each team added runs in the 6th inning.

Final score: BNL Stars 11- Evansville Central Bears 5

Overall, it was a great weekend of baseball for the Stars. We played solid defense the entire weekend and our pitchers did a good job of throwing strikes and getting ahead of hitters. These two things are even more important this year with the IHSAA implementing the mandatory pitch count rule. At the plate, our hitters did an excellent job of being patient and waiting for their pitch. We scored 30 runs on 30 hits. As a staff, we were very pleased with how the team played in all areas; pitching, hitting, fielding, and base running. One of the keys to the success of the weekend was the electric dugout. Everyone was cheering on their teammates, on and off the field. Each player was in the game mentally, physically, and emotionally. It was a great thing to see. We are in it for one reason: The TEAM.