Fishers High School

Fishers JV2 Silver Tigers (3-6) battled Hamilton Southeastern Junior Varsity White in a tight pitcher’s duel on Wednesday, but one unearned run in the fifth inning was the difference in a 1-0 loss. Fishers came out with a chance right away in the bottom of the first. Dawson Gustin led off with a hard single to right field, then moved to second on a passed ball and advanced to third on a groundout by Nate Birsa. The Tigers had the tying run 90 feet away early but could not find a way to bring him home and went back-to-back strike outs. Eli Engebretson was strong from the start on the mound for Fishers. He struck out two batters in the first inning and continued to keep Hamilton Southeastern off the board through the early innings. Hamilton Southeastern threatened in the third after a double and stolen base to get to third, but Engebretson got a groundout to end the inning and keep the game scoreless. Fishers created another opportunity in the second when Kellen Battershield singled on a line drive and advanced to second on an error, but the Tigers could not bring him around. In the fourth, Max Bishton drew a walk, stole second, and advanced to third on a passed ball, giving Fishers another scoring chance. Once again, the Tigers could not execute and kept the game tied 0-0. The game’s only run came in the top of the fifth. Hamilton Southeastern reached on an error, then to second base after a failed pickoff attempt, ending up on third base after stealing the bag. Hamilton Southeastern executed with that runner on third with 1 out by putting the ball into play and causing the Tigers to make another error in the inning giving Hamilton Southeastern a 1-0 lead. Engebretson limited the damage, getting two fly outs to end the inning and keeping Fishers within one. Fishers continued to fight late. Birsa singled in the sixth, and Isaac Repp singled in the seventh before advancing to second on a passed ball and moving to third on a groundout by Zach Dowd. With the tying run at third, Hamilton Southeastern was able to record the final out and hold on for the 1-0 win. Engebretson took the loss despite a strong outing. He went six innings, allowing five hits and one unearned run while striking out three and walking three. Ryan Storm came on in relief in the seventh and helped Fishers escape a bases-loaded jam, highlighted by a 6-4-3 double play turned by Birsa, Battershield, and Engebretson. Gustin, Birsa, Repp, and Battershield each collected one hit for Fishers JV2 Silver Tigers. Fishers also turned one double play defensively. Next up for Fishers JV2 Silver Tigers is another matchup at Hamilton Southeastern Junior Varsity White on Thursday.