Indians defeat rival Tigers
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
GREENFIELD - Playing their county rival Monday evening at Mitchell Park, the Hillsboro Indians put together enough runs to take home their second South Central Ohio League win of the season. HHS scored runs in three innings to gain the 8-5 win.
"This was a good ball game," HHS head coach Rusty Swackhamer said. "Both teams played well. We got the hits and runs when we needed them."
MHS struck first with Zack Mullikin scoring the game's first run. He reached base via single.
Hillsboro started their scoring in the top of the third with Corey Walker doubling, followed with a run-scoring base hit by Aric Carroll. A.J. Helterbrand followed with a single.
The Tigers rallied back with a 3-6 double play, but Logan Watson answered with a single to give the Indians a base runner with two outs. Logan Wilson then brought home Watson with an RBI single.
In the top part of the fourth, HHS (2-1) increased their lead to five runs with four hits in the inning.
Dow Kiefer reached on an error, followed with Paul Snyder taking first on a single. Walker moved over runners with a hit-and-run.
Carroll finished off the small ball play with a two-run base knock, bringing home Kiefer and Snyder. Helterbrand doubled in Carroll for the 6-1 lead.
Down, but not out, the Tigers restarted their assault on the scoreboard with a two-run fourth inning and two-run fifth.
Zach Uhl reached first after being hit by a pitch, and Dustin Taylor singled to give MHS two base runners. Caleb Gregory batted in both runners with a single.
In the bottom of the fifth, Logan Wise walked. Jacob Dillon singled and Jon Johnson walked to load the bases. Wise and Dillon eventually scored. Helterbrand entered the game as a pitcher with one out and ended the inning by gaining two strikeouts for the Tribe.
In the top of the seventh, HHS scored twice to increase their lead to 8-4.
Watson walked to lead-off the inning, but Wilson hit into a 5-4 fielder's choice to reach first, with Watson out at second. Patrick Garman reached first with a single.
Gregory then forced HHS into their second out of the inning by making a catch near the left-center field fence.
With two runners on base, Snyder came up with a big hit, scoring both runners with a single.
"Paul (Snyder) looked good for us," Swackhamer said. "He looked more relaxed at the plate, and he had a key hit in the seventh. For the entire team, the more we play, the more we will get better."
MHS threatened in the bottom of the seventh with a double to the outfield fence by Uhl. Caleb Cooper forced a 3-2 count, and Dustin Taylor reached on an error, but nobody on base was able to score.
"The difference was we left eight on base and they only stranded four," MHS head coach Brandon Streitenberger said. "Hillsboro had timely hits, and we didn't."
Taylor started the game for MHS, pitching 3 1-3 innings. He allowed six runs on seven hits and three walks. He struck out four.
Wise pitched 2 2-3 relief innings for MHS. He allowed no runs on three walks and two hits. Tyler Neville pitched 2-3 of an inning, He gave up two runs on one hit.
"Hillsboro is a solid hitting club," Streitenberger said. "They got guys on base. I feel we played well defensively."
For HHS, Garett Bell pitched four innings for the win. He allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits.
Watson pitched 1-3 of an inning. He walked three batters, allowing three runs on one hit. Helterbrand pitched 2 2-3 innings with five strike outs and one hit.
Helterbrand finished 2-for-4 at the plate. Carroll was 1-for-3.
"The pitchers on both sides pitched good ball games," Swackhamer said.
Swackhamer said his team still needs to improve at the plate.
"We still need to attack the baseball. Defensively, we looked better, but we just have to make better decisions at the plate.
"We've also got to be smart on the base paths."
The loss puts MHS at 2-3 overall, 0-1 in the SCOL. HHS improves to 2-1 overall, 2-1 in the SCOL.
MHS will travel to London Wednesday at 5 p.m. HHS will host Miami Trace on Wednesday at Shaffer Park. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.
BOX SCORE
HHS - 003 030 2 - 8
MHS - 100 220 x - 5
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