The sun shined brightly. The temperature was warm and refreshing. Several fans made the trip to Hendricks County, and smiles were aplenty. Then the contest between the Patriots and host Brownsburg Bulldogs began.
 Nick Pilipovich hit the first pitch of the game back up the middle and into center field for a game-opening single. With one out and Joe Meggs at the plate with a 2-1 count, Pilipovich appeared to steal second base. However, in a Hitchcock-like moment, the junior was sent back to first base and Meggs was called out at the plate for interference. This process took a few minutes as the two officials contemplated the correct "interpretation" of batter interference. To describe the play in words would be nothing more than a futile attempt by a less than accomplished author of this article. Suffice it to say, the prelude to the finish had begun; yet the Patriots were unaware. Junior Billy Sisson drew a walk. Then the North offense stalled. The bottom of the first proved to be impressive for the Bulldogs as the first four batters walked and also scored. Totals for the half inning included 5 runs, 1 hit (a double by Mark Conover), 5 walks, a strikeout, and one runner left on base.
 The second inning began slightly better for the Patriots as Jared Eller and Dougie Collett each reached base having been hit by pitches sandwiched around a well-executed sacrifice bunt by Mark Merrill. The runners were left in check as two flyouts to center field followed. The bottom of the second saw Brownsburg add another nine runs as 14 hitters stepped into the box. The highlight was a 3-run home run by Joel Stucker. Just to be hospitable, Terre Haute North aided the Bulldogs' efforts with an additional two walks, two hit batsmen, and an error.
 Inning number three began with Michael Eberle drawing a base on balls. Meggs then went to first having been hit by a pitch. Sisson hit a double and the shutout was eliminated as a possibility. Senior Brandon Dorsett reached base on a Brownsburg error. Eller and Merrill followed with singles. The Patriots then hit into a doubleplay and popped up to the third baseman. Totals for the Patriots included five runs on three hits. There were two Bulldog errors in the inning. The Northside generosity continued during the bottom of the third inning as Conover reached base on a throwing error. The Brownsburg third baseman stole second and advanced to third base on a passed ball. The next two hitters struckout swinging and flew out to left field. Brownsburg's designated-hitter Matt Steinbaker and second baseman Zach Harrison were hit by pitches in consecutive plate appearances. Alex Berlyn followed with a single. All-everything catcher Tucker Barnhart reached second base on a Patriot throwing error that tailed towards the visitor's dugout. The previous Bulldog baserunners had already scored, and Barnhart was looking to add to the madness. Fortunately for the Patriots, Barnhart was left stranded at third base as the inning ended with a pop out to third baseman Joe Meggs. All-in-all, Brownsburg scored four unearned runs on one hit, two hit batsmen, and two Patriot errors.
 As is often the case, the player who makes the last defensive play in one-half of an inning starts things for his own offense in the other half. With two outs, Meggs singled. Sisson hit a single to left field. Meggs was able to score as the Bulldog left fielder bobbled the ball in the outfield. Sisson advanced to second. Dorsett followed with a walk setting the stage for Eller to hit an 0-2 pitch for a 3-run home run over the center field fence. Four runs were scored on three hits, a walk, and a Brownsburg error. Terre Haute North then sat the Bulldog hitters down in order in the bottom of the fourth.
 The fifth inning saw three Patriots stand in the batter's box briefly as each went down swinging at third strikes. Brownsburg's offense worked more efficiently during their half of the inning. Jared Catron reached first on the fifth Patriot error. Mitchell Burtan then singled. Harrison followed with a game-ending 3-run home run to left-center field. Totals for the Patriots on the night included 9 runs, 9 hits, 5 errors, and 4 runners left on base. Totals for the Bulldogs were 21 runs, 11 hits, 3 errors, and 4 runners left on base.
 Terre Haute North (5-5) continues its pursuit of 10 games in 12 days Saturday with a home doubleheader versus the Lawrence North Wildcats in M.I.C. play. Brownsburg is now 8-1 and takes the weekend off before getting back into Hoosier Crossroads Conference play against Hamilton Southeastern next Tuesday.