Hillsboro shortstop Amanda Bina tags out a Haven runner during the regular season finale held in Hillsboro last Tuesday. Bina and Suzy Lindsay (center) scored the team’s only runs in 4-2 loss in Game 1. The Wildcats won Game 2 by a score of 6-1.. Don Ratzlaff / Free Press. Click image to enlarge.
On the bright side, Hillsboro’s regular-season finale with Haven last Tuesday was good preparation for the kind of softball the Trojans can expect to face if they advance in post-season play.
Unfortunately, the results of those games at the Sports Complex didn’t exactly build momentum for regional action this week.
Haven, who came into the game with a league-leading 15-2 record, proved it was for real with a 4-2, 6-1 sweep of the Trojans at the Sports Complex.
In Game 1, Hillsboro looked strong out of the gate, scoring a pair of runs in the bottom of the first. Amanda Bina doubled to lead off, then Suzy Lindsay beat out a bunt for a single.
Jessica Klose followed with a ground out to third that enabled Bina to cross the plate. Lora Andrews then laid down a bunt that the Haven catcher threw past first base, bringing Lindsay home on the error.
Hillsboro’s 2-0 lead stood up only until the top of the next inning. After Jenesa Klose struck out the Wildcats’ lead-off hitter, she walked Lindsay Doyle. Pitcher Erin Schmidt singled, setting up Caroline Bacon’s two-run double to center field.
Schmidt and Jenesa Klose took turns shutting down their opponents until the top of the sixth inning.
With one out, Klose surrendered back-to-back doubles to Hayley Hunsberger and Doyle. Schmidt then took matters into her own hands and stroked a single that brought both base runners home.
Schmidt ended up with a five-hitter. Bina was her chief nemesis, going 3-for-3 with a pair of doubles.
Jenesa Klose gave up seven hits, walked three and hit a batter to go with four strikeouts.
In Game 2, Haven made the first move, scoring twice in the opening inning on singles by the Wildcats’ first three hitters: Paula Stucky, Velda Miller and Rhendi Leiker.
Hillsboro countered with a run in the bottom of the inning when Bina ripped her third double of the afternoon and scored when pitcher Schmidt threw past first base on a bunt by Lindsay.
Hillsboro managed only three more hits the rest of the game against Schmidt, who struck out only two batters all day, but also never allowed a base on balls.
Haven added a third run in the third inning when Stucky tripled with one out and scored on ground out by Miller.
A double by Doyle and a single by Bacon led to a fourth run in the sixth before the Wildcats broke lose in the seventh for two runs on three hits, including two doubles, and a Trojan error.
Klose absorbed the loss, giving up 10 hits in the game and hitting a batter. She struck out three Wildcats and walked none.
Coming—Even though Haven proved to be the better team on this day, Hillsboro could take heart knowing that if they get a chance for a rematch, it would be in the Class 3A state tournament. Haven, 17-2, will be the top-seeded team at the Lyons regional, while the Trojans, at 10-6, are seeded No. 1 at Southeast of Saline.
The Trojans received a bye in Monday’s opening round. On Tuesday they were to meet the winner of Marion-Peabody (4-11) and Hesston (4-15).
The winner of that game would play for a state tournament berth against the winner of Herington (9-7) versus Southeast of Saline (7-9) or Wichita Collegiate (2-12).
The Class 3A state tournament will be played Friday and and Saturday at Manhattan.
Check the Free Press Web site for results of regional play at Southeast of Saline.
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