Indians top Lions in Highland County showdown

LEESBURG — On Wednesday (April 2), the Fairfield Lions and Hillsboro Indians battled on the diamond and did so until darkness arrived, with the Indians gaining the non-conference win by a 14-11 score at Fairfield High School.

The Indians held a 4-0 lead once the first two innings were finished, scoring two runs in each of those first two innings, followed by each team scoring one run apiece in the third for a 5-1 Indians advantage.

HHS added two runs in the top of the fourth, then another four runs in the top of the fifth for an 11-1 lead. The Lions scored one run in the bottom of the fifth, but the sixth inning saw Hillsboro score one run and FHS add four runs to their side of the scoreboard for a 12-6 score.

In the seventh, Hillsboro scored two more runs, and the Lions scored five before the game was called due to darkness, leaving the Indians with the victory.

Hillsboro finished the game with 16 hits, and they committed one error, while Fairfield had 12 hits and they committed two errors.

Fairfield was led at the plate in hits by Corey Zimmerman, as he was 3-for-4 with a double, three runs, three RBI and one walk.

Zane Matthews finished 2-for-3 with one run, one RBI and one walk. Corbin Willey ended the game with a 2-for-4 performance at the plate, with one run and seven RBI as he hit a home run.

Blaine Faber was 2-for-4, and Ben Miller went 2-for-3 (two doubles) with two runs and one walk. Anderson Humphreys was 1-for-4 with one run for the Lions.

For the Lions, Willey, Matthews, Caleb Rice and Zach Ahsaruk all were hit by a pitch.

As for the Indians and their 16 hits for the game, Nate Lane was 4-for-4 with a double, one run, four RBI and a walk.

HHS also had Zack Brown finish 2-for-3 with a home run, two runs, one RBI and two walks. Brayden Hunter ended the day at 2-for-5 with a double and one RBI. Brody Kelch was 2-for-4 (a double) for HHS with three runs and one walk. Wesley Bailey finished 2-for-4 with two RBI.

Hillsboro’s Jack Cornele was 1-for-4 (a double) with two runs and one RBI. Jeven Hochstuhl was 1-for-4 with two runs and one RBI. Walker Pence finished 1-for-3, scoring two runs, while also collecting two RBI and a walk. Luke Holland ended his day at 1-for-5 with one run scored.

Cornele and Dylan Bender were hit by a pitch. Steals for the Indians included:  Brown, Kelch (three), (three), Hochstuhl (two), Cornele (two), Bender (two), Lane and Bailey.

Holland was the winning pitcher for HHS, allowing two earned runs on six hits and one walk, finishing with five strikeouts, pitching five innings.

Cameron Miller for FHS was charged with the loss, allowing six earned runs in 4.1 innings, with five strikeouts.

The win for HHS moves their overall record to 1-2, and Fairfield also stands at 1-2 overall with the loss.

BOX SCORE
HHS    221 241 2 — 14 16 1
FHS    001 014 5 — 11 12 2

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