The run total seemed unlikely as Hoisington’s Justin Axman and Hillsboro’s Travis Riesen were locked in a 2-0 standoff through three innings, with the Cardinals scoring single runs in the first and second innings.

In the top of the fourth, Hillsboro took advantage of a base hit, a couple of walks and three Cardinal errors to take a 3-2 lead.

That burst set the tone for the rest of the game as Hoisington came back in the bottom of the fourth with two runs to retake the lead, then Hillsboro responded in its next at-bat with a pair of scores to go up 6-5.

In the bottom of the fifth, the bottom fell out for the Trojans as the Cardinals reached Riesen and reliever Daniel Jost for six runs on five hits and a Hillsboro error.

Hillsboro scored one run in the top of the six to make the score 10-6, but Hoisington scored six more times in the bottom of the sixth, and ended the game by run rule on a base-loaded triple by Cameron Horesky, who ran on home on a wild throw to third.

The loss completed the Trojans’ season at 8-9 while Hoisington advanced to the finals against Halstead.