Hornets even up series to force Game Three
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The Miller Grove Hornets traveled to Lindale Thursday night, looking to even up their best-of-three series against Union Hill in the Regional Quarterfinals. After losing Game One Wednesday, the Hornets needed to pick up a win to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Miller Grove was the road team in Thursday’s game and used the opportunity to set the tone offensively right from the start. Jagger Qualls opened the game with a leadoff single and was brought in just two batters later on a Landon Burnett single.
This kicked off what would be a huge frame for the Hornets, as they went on to bring in three more runs before batting around and getting back to the leadoff man Qualls. Qualls picked up his second hit of the frame, this time an RBI single that Brough in Lance Davis, pushing Miller Grove’s lead to 5-0 before they took the field for defense.
Lexton Sly was the starting pitcher for Miller Grove and quickly picked up his first strikeout on just the second batter of the night. Sly did allow a run in the bottom of the first, but it was charged as an unearned run, as the runner scored on an error.
Offense slowed down a bit for both teams, until Union Hill added another run in the bottom of the third. This run was also charged as an unearned run due to the runner reaching base on an error made in the inning.
Leading 5-2, Sly was solid over the next two innings, allowing just one hit and striking out two. In the top of the sixth he helped out his own cause when he drove in Qualls on a two-out single, extending their lead back to 6-2.
Union Hill answered back in the bottom of the frame, once again scoring an unearned run on an error but bringing the game back within three runs.
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Miller Grove was unable to add to their lead in the top of the seventh, as they entered the bottom of the frame, needing three outs to put the game away. Union Hill opened the frame with a leadoff single and Miller Grove brought in Jacob George to close the game out.
After a fly out, Union Hill was able to reach base on an error, putting the potential tying run at the plate. George struck out the next batter he saw, but the runners were able to advance a base, putting runners on second and third with two outs.
Down to their final out, Union Hill came up with a huge single, driving in both runs and cutting the Miller Grove lead down to 6-5. George stayed calm on the mound, however, getting a ground out on the next batter and putting the game away.
Offensively the Hornets were led by Qualls who went a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate. He also had one RBI and one run scored. Sly and Bradley Nordin were right behind him with two hits a piece. Both Sly and Nordin also had one RBI and one run scored.
Other Hornets with hits were Burnett, Davis and Ethan George.
On the mound, neither Sly or George committed a single earned run. Sly went six innings and struck out nine, allowing four unearned runs on four hits. George worked the final inning, allowing one unearned run on one hit and racking up one strikeout.
The series deciding Game Three is set for 6 p.m. in Lindale Friday. Coverage of the game will be provided on Front Porch News.
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