FIHERS – After the first game of the Royal Classic April 8, Class 4A Hamilton Southeastern junior pitcher Jacob Kowal was raking the dirt for the next game between Perry Meridian and Hammond. Normally, that job is left to the junior varsity squad, or the freshmen. 

In other words, you would not know that Kowal had just pitched six solid innings of baseball in getting his first win of the season, keeping the host Royals undefeated with a 10-4 victory while going 3 for 3 with three runs batted in and a run scored.

But hard work and equal contribution from all is what got Hamilton Southeastern (4-0) the win over 4A South Bend Washington. The trouble for the Panthers began early after HSE put up four runs in the first inning, the first after a double by sophomore first baseman Steven Curry. 

Washington put together a run in each of the next three innings, but another four-run third inning form the Royals put a comeback out of reach. Senior Cody Tharp took the loss for the Panthers after allowing five earned runs over six innings.

The Royals, who were coming off an 11-6 upset of 4A No. 9 Pendleton Heights two days earlier, played tight defense throughout the game to stifle the Panthers’ effort, committing only one error.

“Our defense really helped me out,” Kowal said. “They did a great job fielding balls and covering up the holes.”

Second baseman Mitch Roman was 2 for 4 with two RBI, while right fielder Drew Saylor led the Royals with two runs scored. Centerfielder Alex Kohler and shortstop Zach Fozo were each 2 for 3 with a run scored for the Panthers, who committed four errors.

The night game between 4A Perry Meridian and 3A Hammond was an even larger blowout, ending in a mercy-rule five innings after the Falcons put up a whopping 21 runs while allowing none by Hammond.

Right-handed pitcher Jordan Tackett allowed only one hit in earning the win and continuing to impress coach John Carpenter.

“He’s a sophomore, and he’s only thrown two or three innings in a game for us until today,” Carpenter said. “So this was a great opportunity for him to get a start in a varsity game and get his feet wet.

“I was really pleased with him. That was the best thing that we took from this game.”

The first inning had an eerily similar start to that of the afternoon game after Perry Meridian (3-2) quickly put up four runs on Hammond pitcher Jordan Beasley. The Falcons sent all nine batters to the plate in the fateful first, and they brought 10 to the plate in the fourth. 

That fast-paced offense – as well as seven costly errors from the Hammond defense – was what won the game.

Third baseman Cody House was 3 for 4 with three RBIs in the shutout, while shortstop Kyle Rupe launched a grand slam in the fourth inning. Catcher Elijah Harris provided the only hit for the Wildcats. 

Perry Meridian committed only one error on defense and stayed focused in a game where it would have been easy to lose concentration. Though the Falcons were coming off a 20-5 win against 4A No. 22 Whiteland, Carpenter knows the Conference Indiana schedule is only getting tougher.

“Games like this are unchartered territory for us,” Carpenter said. “You just have to hope that the kids show maturity and understand what they’re trying to do, and grow as an individual player.”

Hamilton Southeastern will face Hammond in Saturday’s opener at 10 a.m. ET, with Perry Meridian battling South Bend Washington in Game 2. Hammond and South Bend Washington will follow that matchup, with HSE hosting Perry Meridian in the nightcap scheduled for 5:30 p.m.