AKRON - Even with it being the first match of the season, Tippecanoe Valley girls tennis coach Jack Shambaugh said he couldn't complain about the way his varsity team played Wednesday.

Then again, if his team plays like that on a regular basis, Shambaugh will have very little to complain about all season.

The Vikings hosted Three Rivers Conference rival Manchester, topping the Squires 5-0 as only one varsity match went to a third set.

Valley took the JV contest as well, downing Manchester 4-1.

"I won't argue with the way we played," said Shambaugh. "We beat a good team. Manchester is gonna win their share of matches. We're off to a good start, and it was a TRC match so we wanted to get off on the right foot there, too."

After falling 4-1 to Carroll on Tuesday, the Squires fell to 0-2 with Wednesday's loss.

"The 5-0 (score) is disappointing, certainly," Manchester coach Mark Heiden said. "But when I look at some of the matches I see some scores that could have gone the other way. We'll get another chance at them in the TRC match."

In the longest match of the evening, one that lasted well over two hours, Valley senior Kelly Sanders downed junior Megan Keffaber 7-5, 6-4 at No. 1 singles.

Sanders took a 1-0 lead in the first set, but then went down 5-2, before taking five straight points and the set.

In the second set, Sanders took a 2-1 lead and seemed to find her rhythm against Keffaber, who played a bit under the weather and with a taped wrist.

"Megan battled," Heiden said. "She's gonna stay out there and fight as long as she can, she's a battler. She came back from being down 5-1. That's an uphill battle. She fought off a lot of match points. I'm proud of the way she played."

In other singles matches, Valley senior Susie Mende had her way with Squire senior Dawn Lauer, picking up a 6-0, 6-1 win at the No. 2 spot.

At the third singles position, Viking junior Linda Weller downed Manchester freshman Kessie Karg 6-2, 6-1.

In the only match that went to a third set, Valley's No. 2 doubles team of juniors Chris Swanson and Beth Carter topped seniors Catey Dea and Brittany Falk 4-6, 6-4, 6-1.

"The No. 2 doubles team lost the first set, but they played hard and showed they could come back," Shambaugh said.

At No. 1 doubles, Valley's Julie Studebaker and Alyssa Anglin downed sophomore Concetta DeFusco and junior Bri Foster 6-0, 6-3.

"Our No. 1 doubles team played real aggressive," Shambaugh said. "They're our seniors, they've been here before."

Valley will host Bethany Christian Saturday, while Manchester plays tonight at county rival Wabash.

TIPPECANOE VALLEY 5, MANCHESTER 0

Singles

No. 1 - Kelly Sanders (TV) def. Megan Keffaber 7-5, 6-4

No. 2 - Susie Mende (TV) def. Dawn Lauer 6-0, 6-1

No. 3 - Linda Weller (TV) def. Kessie Karg 6-3, 6-1

Doubles

No. 1 - Alyssa Anglin/Julie Studebaker (TV) def. Bri Foster/Concetta DeFusco 6-0, 6-2

No. 2 - Beth Carter/Chris Swanson (TV) def. Brittany Falk/Caty Dea 4-6, 6-4, 6-1

JV - Tippecanoe Valley 4, Manchester 1

Singles

No. 1 - Karissa Fields (TV) def. Abbey Keffaber 8-5

No. 2 - Becky Wright (TV) def. Libby Olinger 8-3

No. 3 - Autumn Beasley (TV) def. Ali Norton 8-3

Doubles

No. 1 - Holly Walters/Brittany Denny (M) def. Heather Baker/Brandi Smalley 8-6

No. 2 - Krsyta Kindig/Krista Andrews (TV) def. Kendra Gidley/Danielle Hodge 8-4

ML Motorsports Pit Crew To Make NASCAR Debut

By Dale Hubler, Times-Union Sports Writer

Though more fans will fill the stands, the competition will be greater and the TV package better, members of Warsaw's ML Motorsports pit crew say Saturday will be just another day at the office.

As simple as they are trying to keep things, though, Saturday will in fact be different for seven members of the crew that calls itself "Purple Thunder."

After competing Friday at Nashville Superspeedway in the ARCA RE/MAX Series with third-generation driver Jason Jarrett, crew members Larry Plummer, Carson Kintzel, Jeremy Marsh, Scott Eldridge, Lance Perry, Craig Barnes and Ken Nisly will stay over and pit Dan Pardus' No. 32 Outdoor Channel Chevy in the NASCAR Busch Series Pepsi 300.

This is the first NASCAR event the ML Motorsports team has been a part of.

"It's kind of neat," said Plummer, the team's jackman and pit crew coordinator. "When we first started we were kind of an unknown. Our goal was to be the best in ARCA, and we think we've met that goal. Being recognized by other teams and being considered for the Busch deal, I think that says a lot for how hard these guys work."

Said front tire changer Carson Kintzel: "It's a privilege to do something like this. It's pretty neat to be recognized by others for our hard work. We're all in this together, we're a team, and we're just gonna go out and do what we do."

What Kintzel and his crew mates do in a normal stop is change four tires, add 22-gallons of racing fuel and make a chassis adjustment to a 3,400-pound stock car, and try and have it done in 16 seconds.

In the ARCA RE/MAX Series, where Team 67 finished second in points a year ago with Jarrett taking Rookie of the Year, the ML Motorsports pit crew, comprised mainly of former WCHS athletes, is often times in its own league.

In last year's inaugural race at Kansas, pit stops kept the son of Winston Cup star Dale Jarrett in front all day, leading to the team's and then 25-year-old Jarrett's first national-level win.

In Saturday's NASCAR Busch Series race, the competition among pit crews will be that much greater, though, as it is the series that produced the majority of Winston Cup stars racing fans cheer for today.

"It's gonna be a great experience for everybody, that's an obvious," front tire carrier Jeremy Marsh said. "But we're gonna treat it like it's just another race."

Generally, Pardus hires Winston Cup crews to pit his car when the two series accompany each other at the track during a weekend. This week, however, the Winston Cup Series races at Martinsville, Virginia.

Pardus first contacted Bill Kimmel, brother and crew chief to three-time ARCA season champ Frank Kimmel. Bill Kimmel then referred Pardus to the ML Motorsports crew.

"(Pardus) just called and asked if we wanted to pit the car," said Eldridge, crew chief and rear tire changer. "Normally they hire Winston Cup guys to do that. He was looking for some good, fast stops."

Saturday's NASCAR Busch Series race will be televised on FX at 4 p.m. ET.

Tiger Boys Open Season With NLC Wins At Home

Times-Union Staff Report

Warsaw's varsity boys track team got off to its usual fast start Wednesday, with the Tigers hosting and defeating Northern Lakes Conference opponents Plymouth and Goshen.

In a meet that was rescheduled from Tuesday, the Tigers scored 76 points in the win, followed by Plymouth with 68 and Goshen with 23.

Of the 16 events, Warsaw took first place in 11 of them. Seniors Brad Seiss, Adam Sisson and Grady Randall all won multiple events for the Tigers.

Warsaw will be in action again Saturday at the North Side Relays in Fort Wayne

WARSAW 76, PLYMOUTH 68, GOSHEN 23

3200 relay - 1. Plymouth (Houin, Avalos, Pickell, Rodriguez), 2. Goshen

110 hurdles - 1. Lappinn (P) :15.0, 2. R. Hill (W), 3. Chipman (P)

100 - 1. Sisson (W) :11.2, 2. Gaul (P), 3. Goble (W)

Long jump - 1. Bott (W) 20-11 1/2, 2. Schoof (P), 3. Davis (P)

Discus - 1. Quinby (P) 124-11, 2. Caudill (W), 3. Ott (G)

1600 - 1. Mertz (G) 4:56.1, 2. Schrimsher (P), 3. Kessler (G)

Pole vault - 1. Boley (W) 12-3, 2. Hutnik (P), 3. Shotler (G)

400 relay - 1. Warsaw (Goble, Seiss, Sisson, Randall) :44.1, 2. Plymouth

400 - 1. Seiss (W) :53.0, 2. Clay (W), 3. Nisley (G)

High jump - 1. Seiss (W) 6-5, 2. Schoof (P), 3. Dawson (P)

300 hurdles - 1. Randall (W) :39.7, 2. Lappin (P), 3. Frye (P)

800 - 1. Sisson (W) 2:06, 2. Davis (P), 3. Bowers (G)

Shot put - 1. Caudill (W) 46-6 1/2, 2. Nifong (P), 3. Spehgar (P)

200 - 1. Sale (W) :23.8, 2. Gaul (P), 3. Miller (W)

3200 - 1. Schrimsher (P) 10:39.2, 2. Mertz (G), 3. Holbrook (W)

1600 relay - 1. Warsaw (Randall, Seiss, Clay, Sisson) 3:38, 2. Plymouth

Wednesday in Rochester

ROCHESTER 111, OAK HILL 30

MANCHESTER 27

Manchester's boys track team competed in a three-way Three Rivers Conference meet at Rochester Wednesday. The host Zebras ran away from the rest of the field, posting 111 points, followed by Oak Hill with 30 and Manchester with 27. The Squires took first in the 300 hurdles with Farron Gaerte and in the 1600 relay with Matt Straka, Sam McFadden, Nate Stoops and Gaerte. Manchester will be in action again today with Tippecanoe Valley.

3200 relay - 1. Rochester 9:04.1, 2. Oak Hill, 3. Manchester

110 hurdles - 1. Housouer (R) :15.9, 2. Gaerte (M), 3. Nolan (OH)

100 - 1. Cameron (R) :10.8, 2. Byers (R), 3. Straka (M)

1600 - 1. Felke (R) 4:51.7, 2. Turner (R), 3. Shook (OH)

400 relay - 1. Rochester :46.0, 2. Oak Hill, 3. Manchester

400 - 1. Long (R) :56.6, 2. Michaels (OH), 3. Whiteback (R)

Shot put - 1. Rockey (R) 40-11 1/2, 2. Glass (M), 3. Swank (R)

300 hurdles - 1. Gaerte (M) :42.9, 2. Housour (R), 3. Nolan (OH)

Pole vault - 1. Berry (R) 9-6, 2. Hott (R), 3. Wallace (OH)

800 - 1. Felke (R) 2:15.2, 2. Turner (R), 3. Enyart (R)

200 - 1. Cameron (R) :22.8, 2. Winger (OH), 3. Byers (R)

Long jump - 1. DuBois (R) 20-0, 2. Hott (R), 3. Barrett (M)

3200 - 1. Tr. Pryar (R) 10:52, 2. To. Pryar (R), 3. Reife (OH)

High jump - 1. DuBois (R) 6-0, 2. Michaels (OH), 3. Lengel (M)

1600 relay - 1. Manchester 3:46, 2. Rochester, 3. Oak Hill

Discus - 1. Rocky (R) 122-4, 2. Hammel (R), 3. Glass (M)

Wednesday in Bourbon

TRITON 85, BREMEN 63

OREGON-DAVIS 14

Triton's boys track team hosted a three-way Northern State Conference meet Wednesday, taking first place with a score of 85. Bremen came in second with 63, while Oregon-Davis was third with 14. The Trojans took first in 11 of the 16 events.

Discus - 1. Aaron Trieschman (T) 148-2, 2. Josh Moore (T), 3. Matt Turpin (B)

Shot put - 1. Trieschman (T) 41-7 1/2, 2. Matt Houlihan (T), 3. Ryan Smith (OD)

High jump - 1. Matt Anders (T) 5-10, 2. Travis Lavine (B), 3. Eric Emans (B)

Long jump - 1. Emans (B) 20-1 1/2, 2. Adam Young (B), 3. Tim Zik (T)

Pole vault - 1. Brian Edwards (B) 10-6, 2. Cory McClarnon (T), 3. David Gabhart (T)

3200 relay - 1. Triton 9:21.7, 2. Bremen

110 hurdles - 1. Brent Hammond (T) :17.38, 2. Matt Bughman (OD), Steve Schnick (B)

100 - 1. Anders (T) :11.7, 2. Edwards (B), 3. Bughman (OD)

1600 - 1. Nate Gephart (T) 4:52.9, 2. Chris Kauffman (T), 3. Chris Scott (T)

400 relay - 1. Bremen :48.6

400 - 1. Anders (T) :52.3, 2. Emans (B), 3. Young (B)

300 hurdles - 1. Hammond (T) :45.6, 2. Bughman (OD), 3. Cory Creighton (B)

800 - Kauffman (T) 2:20.1, 2. McClarnon (T), 3. Jake Salhoff (B)

200 - 1. Edwards (B) :24.4, 2. Brad Leeper (B), 3. Ryan Smith (OD)

3200 - 1. Kauffman (T) 10:33.4, 2. Chris Zaugg (T), 3. Peter Anderson (B)

1600 relay - 1. Bremen 3:54.2, 2. Triton

GIRLS TRACK

Wednesday in Bourbon

Triton's girls track team was on the short end of a three-way Northern State Conference meet Wednesday. The host Trojans finished third with 28.5 points, while Oregon-Davis won with 66 and Bremen was second with 61.5. Triton took first in two of the 15 events, the long jump with Ashli Senff and the discus with Amber Feldman.

Discus - 1. Amber Feldman (T) 105-9, 2. Candace Trent (OD), 3. Laura Kensinger (OD)

Shot put - 1. Trent (OD) 30-1, 2. Callie Feldman (T), 3. Melissa Armfield (OD)

High jump - 1. Liz Scott (B) 4-10, 2. Britta Johnson (OD), 3. Ashley Ferch (OD)

Long jump - 1. Senff (T) 14-9 1/4, 2. Alli Gurbick (B), 3. Shari Kensinger (OD)

3200 relay - 1. Oregon-Davis 11:37.3, 2. Bremen

100 hurdles - 1. L. Kensinger (OD) :17.7, 2. Candy Rust (OD), 3. Kylie Kreft (T)

100 - 1. Jacklyn Jennings (B) :13.4, 2. Ally Gurbick (B), 3. Amanda Harris (OD)

1600 - 1. Katie Ryan (B) 6:15.6, 2. Ashley Widder (B), 3. Whitney Trent (OD)

400 relay - 1. Bremen :54.3, 2. Oregon-Davis

400 - 1. Rachel Phillips (B) 1:02.8, 2. Harris (OD), 3. Staiger (B)

300 hurdles - 1. L. Kensinger (OD) :52.5, 2. Kreft (T), 3. Sarah Gumms (B)

800 - 1. S. Kensinger (OD) 2:45.6, 2. Brittney Lechlitner (B), 3. Widder (B)

200 - 1. Jennings (B) :27.9, 2. Harris (OD), 3. Senff (T)

3200 - 1. Melissa Burcham (B) 14:04, 2. Carrie Kauffman (T), 3. Trent (OD)

1600 relay - 1. Bremen 4:31.9, 2. Oregon-Davis

BASEBALL

Wednesday in Churubusco

WHITKO 5, CHURUBUSCO 3

After scoring four runs in the sixth inning Wednesday, Whitko's varsity baseball team picked up a 5-3 win at Churubusco. The host Eagles scored in the seventh, but came away with the loss despite pounding out 12 hits.

Whitko 001 004 0 - 5 8 1

Churubusco 000 020 1 - 3 12 3

WP - Alan Robbins 7 IP, 11 K, 2 BB. LP - Pyser.

Whitko hit leaders - Brett Lukens 1 for 3, RBI; Wes Kellog 1 for 2, 2B, RBI; Gabe Langohr 1 for 2, RBI; Blake Hike 1 for 4, RBI

Wednesday in Bourbon

TRITON 7, CASTON 0

In defense of its Class 1A state championship, Triton's varsity baseball team opened the season Wednesday with a 7-0 win over visiting Caston. The Trojans scored a run in the first, and then three each in the fourth and sixth innings to get the win. Braxton Barton pitched five innings and Brent Savill two as the duo combined for a no-hitter. Todd Blackford led the offense with two doubles.

Caston 000 000 0 - 0

Triton 100 303 0 - 7

WP - Braxton Barton 5 IP, 0 H, 8 K

Triton hit leaders - Todd Blackford 4 for 4, 2B (2); Adam Wanamacher 3 runs

Wednesday in Warsaw

JV - Huntington North 13, Warsaw 0

WP - Clark Sparr. LP - Jordan Williams.

Warsaw hit leaders - Williams 2B, Robert Davis 2B

Next game - Warsaw hosts Penn Saturday

SOFTBALL

Wednesday in Syracuse

WAWASEE 8, ROCHESTER 7

Despite allowing visiting Rochester six runs in the fourth inning, Wawasee's varsity softball team picked up an 8-7 win Wednesday. The Warriors, who are now 4-1 on the season, picked up two runs in the second and then scored two each in the final three innings. Wawasee pounded out 11 hits to Rochester's four. The Warriors also won despite five errors to Rochester's one.

Rochester 000 610 0 - 7 4 1

Wawasee 020 022 2 - 8 11 5

WP - Eierman 1 IP, 1 K, 1 H, 0 BB. LP - Bradley

Wawasee hit leaders - Sara Weisser 2 for 2, 2B (2), 2 RBIs; Casey Rinker 2 for 3, 2 runs; LeeAnna Sloan 2 for 3, RBI, 2 runs

JV - Wawasee 15, Rochester 14

Rochester 020 660 0 - 14 11 2

Wawasee (11)03 000 1 - 15 17 4

WP - Beth Voirol. LP - Hunt

Wawasee hit leaders - Shaundel Wiggs 2 for 3, 2 runs, RBI; Rachel Canen 3 for 5, 1 run, 2 RBIs; Tarina Sorensen 3 for 4, 3 runs; Cheryl Thomas 2 for 3, 2 runs, RBI; Linsdey Wright 2 for 5, 1 run, 2 RBIs; Voirol 2 for 4, 1 run, 3 RBIs

Wednesday in Ligonier

WHITKO 12, WEST NOBLE 0

After scoring five runs in the second inning, Whitko's varsity softball team cruised to a 12-0 win at West Noble Wednesday. The Wildcats are now 2-0 on the season. Whitko pounded out eight hits to West Noble's one. The Wildcats play at county rival Columbia City Friday.

Whitko 050 16 - 12 8 1

West Noble 000 00 - 0 1 4

WP - Laura Keirn 7 K, 1BB, 1 H. LP - Coburn

Whitko hit leaders - Dana Sellers 2 for 2, 3 runs, 2B (2), RBI; Teri Walter 2B, 2 RBIs; Stacy Socha 2 for 4, 3 RBIs; Alicia Burelison 2 for 4, 2B

Wednesday in Akron

WINAMAC 18, TIPPECANOE VALLEY 3

After trailing 5-0 after the first inning, Tippecanoe Valley fell 18-3 to visiting Winamac in six inning Wednesday. Winamac scored its 18 runs on just five hits. Alicia Terpstra had two hits for Valley, while Ashley Freeman and Ashley Sainer each had a hit an RBI. Valley will play its second game of the season today at home against Triton.

Winamac 524 106 - 18 5 1

Valley 000 030 - 3 6 3

WP - Fritz. LP - Season Groninger

Valley hit leaders - Alicia Terpstra 2 for 3, RBI; Ashley Freeman 1 for 3, RBI; Ashley Sainer 1 for 3, RBI

Wednesday in North Manchester

CHURUBUSCO 12, MANCHESTER 2

After stealing nine bases, Churubusco's varsity softball team downed host Manchester 12-2 Wednesday. Manchester falls to 2-1 on the season and will play Friday at Wawasee. Joni West was 2 for 3 with a pair of RBIs for the Squires.

Manchester hit leaders - Joni West 2 for 3, 2 RBIs; Carrie Fox 1 for 3

JV - Churubusco 16, Manchester 3

Manchester leaders - Tabby Conning 3B; Ashlee Farmer 3 runs

BOYS GOLF

Wednesday in Wabash

MANCHESTER 184, WABASH 190

Manchester's varsity boys golf team opened its season Wednesday with a 184-190 win over host Wabash. The Squires had just one golfer shoot over 47. Manchester's JV team picked up a win as well, crushing the Apaches by 59 strokes.

Manchester scores - Burton 45, Schenkel 47, Metzger 47, Taylor 50, Zapf 45

JV - Manchester 180, Wabash 239

Manchester JV scores - Burgan 45, Huntington 48, Cable 48, Music 41, O'Hara 46

Wednesday in Plymouth

TRITON 178, JOHN GLENN 179

Triton's varsity boys golf team opened its season Wednesday with a 178-179 win over conference foe John Glenn. Kevin Boyer and Greg Christian shot 44s for the Trojans on the par-36 course.

Triton scores - Aaron Shafer 45, Kevin Boyer 44, Matt Craft 48, Travis Slone 45, Greg Chrisitan 44

JV - John Glenn 208, Triton 235

Triton JV scores - Cory McClarnon 51, Zach Chittum 55, James Dawson 62, Steven Boyer 67, Matt Miller 72 [[In-content Ad]]