WEST UNITY – On Monday, April 8th, the North Central Eagles and Hilltop Cadets met in the Buckeye Border Conference opener for both teams. With conditions reminiscent of a wind tunnel, balls were flying all over and out of the park as the Eagles outlasted the Cadets in an error filled contest 13-9.
Kole Peterson picked up the win tossing 5 2/3 innings allowing nine runs, with just two being earned. Peterson gave up seven hits, fanned eight, walked two and hit one batter. Branden Turner tossed the final 1 1/3 inning to pick up the save. In his no run appearance, Turner gave up one hit, struck out three, and issued two base on balls.
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Justin Grapengeter absorbed the loss for Hilltop. He lasted four innings surrendering eight runs on ten hits, whiffed four and walked two. Logan Brooker pitched the final three frames allowing five runs, five hits, one K, and three free passes to first.
Besides hitting the first home run at the new Hilltop field, Jalen Dancer was a triple short of the cycle going 5-5, singling three times and doubling to collect two RBI. Colton Pilmore drove in four runs with three base hits, while Josh Sawyer doubled and singled twice while sending two teammates across home plate. Peterson helped his cause with a 2 RBI double, with Turner and Ryan Bethel each getting a base knock.
Josh Phillips had a huge day at the plate for the Cadets collecting 6 RBI while stroking two home runs, a double and a single, while Brooker smashed a solo blast. Grapengeter and Brandon Willis had RBI base hits, with Miklo Abner also singling.
With the win North Central improve to 2-3 on the season and1-0 in the BBC.
Runs / Hits / Errors
North Central 13 – 14 – 5
Hilltop 9 – 8 – 4
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