If you dig a big enough hole, sometimes you just can’t climb out of it.

The Chesterton Trojans gave up six runs through the first three innings of play Monday night at Highland and couldn’t battle all the way back in dropping a 6-4 non-conference decision.

“We just spotted them too many runs to start out with,” Chesterton coach LouAnn Hopson said. “The power of our order just wasn’t patient enough at the plate.”

Highland (11-12) scored a pair of runs in the first off of Chesterton starter Catie Armstrong. The home standing Trojans sandwiched a pair of hits between two walks.

In the second a leadoff walk and a sacrifice bunt was followed by Chesterton’s lone error. A two-out three-run home run gave Highland a 5-0 lead.

Highland’s sixth and final run scored in the third inning on a passed ball.

Chesterton (15-9) finally got the offense going in the fifth as Taylor Harlow led off with a single. Courtesy runner Kelley Kulczyk moved to second on a Ryan Bozak single. Kulcyzk scored on an Alexis Paz ground out and Sam Gross singled home Bozak.

In the sixth, Sam Boazk started things with a one-out double. She scored on Kelci Garcia’s single as Garcia went to second on the throw home. Ryan Bozak doubled to score Garcia, but the Trojans got no closer.

Offensively, Chesterton was led by Gross, Garcia and Ryan Bozak with two hits each.

Chesterton returns to the field on Thursday when they host Class 4A No. 7 Munster beginning at 4:30 p.m.

Highland 6, Chesterton 4

AT HIGHLAND

SCORING BY INNINGS

Chesterton 000 022 0 -- 4 10 1

Highland 231 000 x -- 6 7 0

2B -- Sam Bozak (C). Pitching Summary -- Chesterton -- Catie Armstrong (2 IP, 3 H, 2 K, 2 BB), Taylor Harlow (4 IP, 4 H, 2 K, 2 BB); Highland -- Megan O’Day (7 IP, 10 H, 0 BB, 4 K). WP -- O’Day. LP -- Armstrong.

Posted 5/13/2008