by Scott Sacry, Sports Editor
The Florence baseball team defeated Hamilton 5-4 in nine innings on Thursday, April 10 in Florence. This was a rematch of last year’s state championship game, which Florence won.
As expected, it was a close game and went to extra innings as the score was tied 4-4 after seven innings.
Florence pitcher Mason Arlington struck out eight batters in Florence’s 5-4 victory over Hamilton on April 10 in Florence. Photo by Scott Sacry.
Florence led 3-1 going into the 6th when Hamilton scored two runs to tie the game at 3-3. After scoring another run in the top of the 7th, Hamilton led 4-3 going into the bottom of the 7th. Then with two outs, Florence’s Chase Wagner hit an RBI double to tie the game, sending it to extra innings. In the bottom of the 9th, Florence magic man Wes [“Harry”?] Potter singled in the winning run to give the Falcons the victory.
Hamilton pitcher Cash Lawrence gave up three hits and three runs and struck out four batters in Hamilton’s 4-5 loss to Florence on April 10. Photo by Scott Sacry.
For Florence, Chase Wagner went 2 for 4 with 3 RBIs, Levi Winters went 2 for 3 with an RBI, and Wes Potter went 1 for 3 with an RBI. Florence starting pitcher Mason Arlington struck out eight batters and gave up five hits over five innings.
For Hamilton, Elijah McNair-Neal hit a solo home run, Hunter Harness had an RBI triple, and Jackson Lubke scored two runs. Hamilton’s starting pitcher Cash Lawrence gave up three hits and three runs and struck out four over four innings.
Baseball roundup
Hamilton
Hamilton hosted Stevensville on Tuesday, April 8 and won 8-1. Atticus Southwell went 3 for 4 with a home run and 3 RBIs, Jude Widmer went 3 for 4 with an RBI, Jackson Lubke went 2 for 4 with an RBI, and Hunter Harness went 2 for 3 with an RBI and a triple.
Florence
On Tuesday, April 8, Florence played at Corvallis and won 8-3. For Florence, Drew Wagner went 2 for 3 with a home run and 3 RBIs, Mason Arlington went 2 for 4 with 3 RBIs, and Caleb Katen went 1 for 4 with an RBI. Florence pitcher Chase Wagner got the win.
Stevensville
Stevensville played at Hamilton on Tuesday, April 8 and lost 1-8. For Stevensville, Exekiel Gardea went 2 for 4, and Cole Germane went 1 for 3 with an RBI.
Then on Saturday, April 12, Stevi played at Missoula Hellgate and won 10-5. For Stevensville, Braden Drye went 4 for 5 and scored 3 runs, McCoy Endres went 3 for 5, Joey Wheeler went 1 for 2, scored 3 runs and had an RBI, and Exekiel Gardea went 2 for 3.
Corvallis
Corvallis hosted Florence on Tuesday, April 8 and lost 3-8. For Corvallis, Maurice Craun went 2 for 3 with a home run and 2 RBIs, Reese Earp went 1 for 3 with an RBI, and Adrian Cardullo had a triple. Cardulla was also the starting pitcher and struck out 9 batters over 4 innings.
On Thursday, April 10, Corvallis hosted Missoula Big Sky and lost 4-7. For Corvallis, Adrian Cardullo went 2 for 4, Joe Hixon went 1 for 3 with an RBI, and Reese Earp went 1 for 1 with an RBI.
Finally, on Friday, April 11, Corvallis hosted Salmon and won 10-5. For Corvallis, Maurice Craun went 2 for 3 with 2 RBIs, Adrian Cardullo went 2 for 4 with an RBI, and Waylon Lendak went 1 for 3 with 2 RBIs. Bridger Huddleston was the starting pitcher and he struck out 8 batters over 3 innings.