Split keeps title race tight
By Robyn Rohde, BHG News Service
Washburn’s Jekyll and Hyde ways continued in their match up with Hazen last week. The much anticipated conclusion of the series between the two American Legion teams showcased everything that fans could have asked for: excellent pitching, home run hits and timely errors. After 14 innings, however, neither team had gained any ground in the Section 7 standings as Hazen squeezed out a 6-3 victory before Post 12 took a towering 17-9 nightcap win. In the opening game, Hazen drew first blood when Justin Heldstab was hit by the pitch to load the bases in the second inning. McKeon Meyhoff coaxed a walk on the 3-2 pitch for the 1-0 run. A pitching duel between Astros ace Tanner Borlaug and Post 12 reliable Charlie Retterath left the action at a standstill until the fourth inning. Hazen earned its second unearned run in the inning when Heldstab bleeder up the middle put catcher Preston Landenberger at third base. A wide throw increased it to a 2-0 lead. At the next at bat, a Jared Hruby bunt would have loaded the bases but instead the wide relay to the bag plated a runner on the error. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Cole Bender tied the score 2-2 by blasting his second solo home run in as many games.
