ORIGINALLY WRITTEN DON RATZLAFF
Grant Brubacher?s sacrifice fly in the bottom of the seventh inning
scored Justin Friesen to give Hillsboro a dramatic 10-9
come-from-behind win over Canton-Galva and a sweep of their
doubleheader Tuesday at the Tabor College field.
The Trojans came from behind in less dramatic fashion to win the
opener, 7-3.
In the nightcap, the Trojans had dug themselves into a 9-4 hole,
thanks in large part to eight Trojan errors. Only three of
Canton-Galva?s runs were earned.
Despite the shaky fielding, the Trojans did not roll over.
In the seventh, Brubacher, Tyson Ratzlaff and Daniel Funk led off with
walks against Eagles pitcher Jeremy Heim.
After James Bina struck out, Kane Adams drove in Brubacher and
Ratzlaff on an error by Lane Peterson. Nathan Fish, Justin Friesen and
Shawn Hughbanks followed with consecutive singles.
Jeremy Loewen then walked, setting up Brubacher?s fly ball to right
field that scored Friesen with the 10th and winning run of the game.
Layne Frick, who started the game on the mound for Hillsboro,
struggled with his control. He gave up four runs on four walks and two
hits, and also committed two errors that led to a pair of Eagle runs
in the second inning.
The Trojans committed six of their eight errors in the first two
innings.
Jost relieved Frick with no one out in the second, and gave up five
runs?only two of them earned?over the next five innings.
Jerod Metcalf (4-1) pitched the seventh inning, allowed only one
baserunner, and was credited with the win.
In the first game, the Eagles staked themselves to a 3-0 lead in the
third inning. Fish walked Kirk Jones and Bryon Smith, then gave up
one-out RBI singles to Darren Anderson and Jeremy Heim.
Hillsboro came back with three runs in the bottom of the inning.
Hughbanks led off with a single and scored on a triple by Loewen.
After Brubacher popped out, Ratzlaff followed with another triple,
driving in Loewen. Ratzlaff then scored on a sacrifice fly by Funk.
The Trojans took the lead for good in the bottom of the fourth.
Hughbanks walked to lead off, but was forced at second base on a
ground ball by Loewen.
After Brubacher walked, Loewen scored on a single by Ratzlaff. Funk
walked, then Bina singled in Brubacher for a 5-3 Trojan lead.
The Trojans got their final two runs in the fifth inning on RBI
singles by Friesen and Loewen.
Fish (5-1) pitched six innings, giving up four hits and walking six
along the way. Jost pitched the seventh inning and was credited with
his first save of the season.
With the wins, Hillsboro finished its second regular season with an
impressive 17-3 record and a No. 1 seed in this week?s regional
tournament in Gypsum.
Hillsboro is scheduled to play Hoisington/Herington???? at 1 p.m.
today. If they win that game, the Trojans can earn a state berth with
a victory over the winner of the other semifinal game between
Southeast of Saline and Beloit, which is to begin at 3 p.m. The
championship game
With dramatic comeback, Trojans finish 17-3
