It takes extra time, but Bulldogs stay alive in the HCC race

Brownsburg beat Zionsville 7-4 in 8 innings on Tuesday to stay alive in the race for the HCC baseball title. Avon beat McCutcheon last night, so that sets up two important series on Thursday and Friday. If Zionsville wins one of the two games against Avon, they win the conference. If Avon sweeps Zionsville, Avon will tie Zionsville for the conference title (although they would have the head-to-head tie-breaker). Brownsburg must win both games against Fishers and have Avon sweep Zionsville to tie for the title.

Bulldogs can't convert their chances in loss to Zionsville

The Brownsburg baseball team led 4-1 after three innings on the strength of a Sam Sampen two-run homer. In the fifth inning, a defensive lapse on a first-and-third situation allowed a run to score. The runner that went to second eventually scored and made it a 4-3 game after five innings. The Dogs held a 4-3 lead with one out in the seventh when catcher Tyler Hampton blocked a ball in the dirt. I'm not sure whether the ball hit him in the chest or the neck, but he looked a little shaken up. A minute later, he went to the mound to talk to pitcher Isacc Sampen, but didn't make it to the mound and passed out. He was taken to the hospital and gave the "thumbs up" as he was leaving the field. I do not have an update on his status.

After the delay, Zionsville tied the game with an RBI double. In the bottom of the ninth, BBurg had bases loaded and two out before Jeremy Jones flied out hard to right field to end the inning. In the 10th inning, the Dogs had bases loaded with no outs and lined into a triple play to end the inning. Zionsville scored three runs in the top of the 11th and held Brownsburg scoreless in the bottom of the inning to win 7-4.

The win puts Zionville 3 games ahead of Brownsburg, Avon, and McCutcheon in the HCC with three games left. If Brownsburg and Avon win out (Avon plays Zville on Thurs/Fri), they both will tie Zionsville for the conference title. Any Zionsville win will clinch.

Important week for Brownsburg Baseball

The Brownsburg baseball team has a big week of games in their fight for the HCC title. The Dogs are in second place, two games behind Zionsville with conference play ending this week. The two teams play each other on Monday and Tuesday. Brownsburg then plays Fishers on Thursday and Friday while Zionsville play Avon. McCutcheon is tied with Brownsburg in second place and Avon is three games behind Zionsville in fourth place. Any one of these four teams can come away with the title.