Hartington Seniors can’t overcome early deficit

HARTINGTON — The Hartington Post 4 American Legion Senior baseball team found itself down 8-0 after the first two innings and spent the rest of the night climbing back into the game before eventually falling, 9-7 to Battle Creek in Ralph Bishop League action here at Felber Park June 19.

“I like where we’re at as far as competing,” Post 4 coach Don Whitmire said. “We just need to find a way to get over the hump.”

Battle Creek plated five runs in the first and three in the second before Sam Wiebelhaus took over on the mound and pitched three solid innings of relief where he allowed just one run and no hits the rest of the way.

“Sam threw some strong innings in the middle allowing us to close the gap,” said Whitmire. “Unfortunately, we came up a little bit short.”

Hartington did close the gap, plating three runs in the third, one in the fifth and three more in the sixth to close to within 8-7 heading into the seventh.

Battle Creek scored a single run in the top of the frame and Post 4 went down in order in the bottom of the seventh with two ground outs sandwiched around a fly ball to center field.

With one out in the bottom of the third, Bodie Hochstein and Breiton Whitmire drew walks.

Hochstein stole second and third and Whitmire stole second before Hochstein stole home.

Dylan Taylor got on board on an error by the left fielder which sent Whitmire across the plate.

Dan Puppe hit a hard grounder to the shortstop which chased Taylor home after he stole a couple of bases and Hartington trailed 8-3.

Hochstein and Whitmire were at it again in the fifth, back-to-back singles put runners at first and second.

Taylor was plunked by the Battle Creek pitcher to load the bases.

Puppe hit another hard grounder to the shortstop which forced out Taylor but scored Hochstein but the next two batters struck out to end the threat.

Post 4 score its three runs in the sixth with two outs.

Cole Rosener and Hochstein each walked then Whitmire singled up the middle scoring Rosener and leaving Hochstein at third.

Whitmire took second base before Taylor laced a grounder to third, which the third baseman mishandled scoring Whitmire and Hochstein and when the dust settled on the play, Taylor was standing on second base.

The first Battle Creek batter in the top of the seventh walked and made his way around the bases, eventually scoring on a wild pitch to get to the 9-7 final score.

Post 4 is set to take on Oakland-Craig June 26 at Felber Park before traveling to Columbus June 27 to play Columbus Lakeview.

BC5300001-964 H0030130-740 WP: Mettler LP: Cole Rosener