New Prairie one win away from state finals

 

KOKOMO, Ind. -- Cougars earn a 5-3 win over Bishop Dwenger off the strength of their patience at the plate and pitching from seniors Tyson Greenwood and Joe Kinney.

New Prairie started the game down 1-0 but Bishop Dwenger pitcher Brayton Thomas did Cougars a favor, walking in two runs with bases loaded in the second inning. Cougars lead 2-1.

Same story in the fourth inning, only this time, Thomas hit his third batter of the day, making it a 3-1 New Prairie lead.

Unlike, Bishop Dwenger, the pitching happened to be the best part of New Prairie's game. Led by senior Tyson Greenwood, finishing with 6.1 innings with nine strikeouts before handing it off to his best friend Joe Kinney in top of the 6th with one out. Kinney got the Cougars out of the jam and gave his team momentum.

"Man, I just came in there with the utmost confidence in my team. I know everybody was maybe a little shocked that I was in there at that, in that position because, I think everybody was confident in Tyson was going to get out of it but everybody's just as confident when I'm on the mound, I feel like and that's everything, when I know my team's behind my back and has my back," Kinney said.

In the bottom of the 6th, senior Matt Sorce earned an RBI single making it a 5-1 game in favor of the Cougars. In the final inning, Kinney on the mound, two outs, runner on third, the Cougars secure their trip to the semi-state championship with a line-out to second base.

New Prairie vs Twin Lakes is at 8 p.m. Saturday.