Sophomore Tyler Crandall scattered six hits and five walks over seven innings en route to a complete game win as Hillsboro defeated New Lisbon 6–2 in the first game of a SBC doubleheader Thursday afternoon.
The visiting Rockets salvaged the sweep by winning the nightcap 5–3.
In the opener senior shortstop Brandon Stanek went 3-for-3 with two doubles, two runs scored and an RBI.
Crandall helped his own cause with a two-run single.
Crandall’s twin brother, Tommy Crandall, went 3-for-3 with a double and two RBI.
Senior outfielder Chucky Strait went 2-for-3 and scored a run.
Hillsboro scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth to take a 4–2 lead, but New Lisbon answered with two in the sixth.
“Our defense made some nice plays cutting down runners trying to advance which helped end their sixth inning rally,” said Hillsboro head coach Bob Bothe.
After New Lisbon scored its two, Bothe’s Tigers answered with two big insurance runs of their own.
Sophomore Joe Helgerson walked, advanced to second on a hit and run, advanced to third on a single by Strait, and eventually scored on Tyler Seeley’s sacrifice fly.
Strait stole second and then scored on Stanek’s RBI single.
“We did a great job of putting the ball in play all game. Even our outs resulted in moving runners around,” said Bothe.
Game 2 was a seesaw battle early on, but New Lisbon produced a three-run fifth inning rally to score a two-run victory.
The Rockets piled up three hits and drew three walks all with two outs in the sixth to score the winning runs.
The difference maker was Adam Bell’s 2-RBI single to left field which gave the Rockets the lead for good.
Strait (0–1) took the loss for Hillsboro allowing two runs on two hits in 2/3 of an inning.
Zach Meehan allowed two runs on four hits and five walks in six innings.
Senior Johnny Costello pitched a scoreless seventh for New Lisbon to record the save.
Senior Matt Anderson went 2-for-3 in the loss for Hillsboro.
The Tigers fell to 3–4 overall and 3–4 in the SBC with the loss.
Monday’s doubleheader at Bangor was rained out and rescheduled to be played on Tuesday. The Tigers will return to action with a home game against Necedah before traveling to Ithaca Saturday for the Ithaca Tournament.
Hillsboro will then host Cashton on Monday.