Hillsboro scored three runs all with two outs in the bottom of the seventh to rally for a dramatic 12–11 victory over Necedah last Thursday afternoon at Fireman’s Park.
Junior Mackenzie Sullivan’s two-out RBI single to right field scored Alexis Seeley for the game winner.
The Tigers scored an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning to take a 9–7 lead.
However, Necedah put together a seventh-inning rally of its own to take an 11–9 lead.
The Cardinals quickly retired Hillsboro’s first two batters of the seventh on easy ground outs and were on the verge of stealing a Scenic Bluffs win.
But, Sydney Johnson, Destiny Shore, Seeley and Sullivan strung together consecutive hits to pull out the Hillsboro win.
Johnson hit a line drive to left to start the rally. Shore then hit a screaming drive to left, which got under the glove of Necedah’s left fielder and both Johnson and Shore scored to tie the game.
Seeley then lined a single and advanced to second on a passed ball.
With a full count, Sullivan connected on a liner to right field scoring Seeley to end the game in walk off fashion.
“There wasn’t a lot of good things that came out of this game, except that we picked up the W,” said Hillsboro head coach Mike Burch. “We had way too many mental errors were made especially at this point in the season.
“Sydney Johnson made an exceptional throw from center to cut down a Necedah runner trying to score from second on a hit, and we finally got a runner out at the plate trying to score on a double steal. Also, the four consecutive hits with two outs in the bottom of the seventh was very inspiring for this team.”
Brittany Borchardt (3–2) picked up the win allowing 11 runs, eight earned, on six hits and nine walks in seven innings.
Johnson (3-for-4), Sullivan (3-for-5), Seeley (3-for-5) and Shore (2-for-5) combined for all 11 Hillsboro hits.
Bangor 3, Hillsboro 1
Monday afternoon, Hillsboro dropped a 3–1 decision at Bangor.
Emma Wittmershauser shut down the Tigers striking out 10 batters, while allowing just one run on three hits and four walks.
“Once again our batters were chasing pitches that were no where near the strike zone, resulting in 10 total strikeouts,” said Burch. “Bangor shut us down in order in five out of the seven innings.”
Mackenzie Sullivan led off the top of the seventh with a single and later scored on a RBI double with Sierra Hanke.
Mathis then drew a walk to load the bases but a ground ball to third was thrown home for the second out of the inning.
Johnson hit a hard grounder to Morgan Horstman, the 2014 SBC Player of the Year, at shortstop, who scooped the ball on a short hop and threw on to first to end the game.
Mathis (3–2) pitched a strong game for Hillsboro, giving up just two earned runs on six hits in six innings. She struck out two and walked four.
Horstman and Aspen Zimmer each went 2-for-3 to lead the Cardinals (7–4, 6–2 SBC) at the plate.
Hillsboro fell to 6–4 on the season and 4–4 in the SBC.
The Tigers were scheduled to host Wonewoc–Center on Tuesday before traveling to undefeated Cashton (12–0, 10–0) today. Hillsboro will then host Brookwood (5–7, 3–4) on Monday.
