By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – Seven is the magic number, whether it’s referencing mythology, science, mathematics or Harry Potter horcruxes. It’s the symbol of perfection, it’s significant in the Bible, it’s a key number in the game of craps.
For Bedford North Lawrence, it holds double the importance. The surging Stars recorded their seventh consecutive victory with a split doubleheader sweep on Memorial Day, and a nervous freshman went seven strong innings in his varsity debut to strong-arm BNL to the end of the regular season with powerful momentum for the postseason.
BNL roared to the finish line with wins over Columbus East and Loogootee on Monday. The Stars conquered the Olympians 8-2 as Lucas Ira struck out 8 in an overwhelming performance, and rookie right-hander Maddox Garrison went the distance during an impressive two-hit shutdown of the Lions as BNL posted a 5-0 triumph.
Now the Stars (19-6) will roll the dice in the Class 4A postseason, awaiting a second rematch with Seymour in the sectional at Jeffersonville. They’ve not lost since the second setback to the Owls. Nobody in the sectional is hotter than the Stars right now.
“That’s a heck of a season,” BNL coach Steven McNabb said. “I don’t care who you play, winning 19 is doing something right. I’m proud as heck of them. We went out and took care of business 19 times.
“We restart now. Everybody is 0-0.”
BNL 8, Columbus East 2 – In the final-day opener, Ira was dominant after a shaky second inning. He gave up two hits and two walks during that frame, got out of trouble by starting an inning-ending double play, and kept the Olympians (8-19) quiet after that.
”Lucas is capable of doing that each and every time he takes the ball,” McNabb said. “There’s no doubt about that. He has high upside. You can see he has stuff. We just need him to want the moment, we need him to believe in himself, and today he did. He’s going to have a bright future for us.”
The Stars retook the lead with six-run third. Tate Tanksley cracked a RBI single, Tyler Stigall and Jackson Jones drew bases-loaded walks to force in runs, while Cutler Chastain and Cal Gates added sacrifice flies.
Tanksley and Ira had two hits each.
BNL 5, Loogootee 0 – In the nightcap, Garrison made the jump from junior-varsity stud to varsity newbie without a glitch. He threw strikes without blinking, fanning 7 while surrendering only two harmless singles. He admitted nerves but didn’t act like it. The only thing he couldn’t escape was the water-cooler dump in celebration.
“I was nervous the whole way, but the more my team hyped me up, the less nervous I was,” Garrison said. “I just don’t go for as much velocity. I try to locate it.”
BNL scored a run in the first as Gates dropped a perfect bunt single, Jaden Gilbert stroked a single to right as Gates scampered to third, and he scored on a ground out. BNL added four runs in the second as Jett Alvey (RBI single to right), Gates (two-run double) and Gilbert (run-scoring single to center) plated the runs.
Gates, Gilbert and Grayson Gillespie had two hits each. That was all Garrison needed to tame the Lions (5-19).
”Maddox earned that start,” McNabb said. “That’s what he does. He throws strikes. He lets his defense work. He took care of business.”
BNL will now wait until Saturday for the sectional semifinal battle with Seymour. Floyd Central will face New Albany in the opener on Wednesday, while Silver Creek will meet Jeffersonville in the second game. Those winners will collide in the first semifinal on Saturday. The championship is set for June 2.
