WEST UNITY:  May 10-The Pettisville Blackbirds opened Sectional play on May 10 at the Hilltop High School field, bouncing host Hilltop in game 1 of the tourney 11-2 to advance to round 2 of play.

On the mound for the Blackbirds, Noah Miller went the distance throwing a masterful 4 hit game to take down the Cadets.  Miller allowed 1 earned run and sat down 11 Hilltop batters, while allowing just 3 walks in the victory for Pettisville.

In the batter’s box for the Blackbirds, it was a team wide offensive explosion, with 8 Blackbirds in the lineup connecting for hits in the game.  Eli King led the way going 2 for 3  and crossing the plate for a run; Miller helped his cause on the mound, connecting for a hit driving in 3 RBI’s while crossing the plate 2 times.  Dustin and Logan Kauffman each got a hold of the ball, driving in an RBI  while Christian Barhite, Korben Rychener and Gabe Beck also contributed hits, with Beck driving in 2 RBI’s.

In the loss for the Hilltop Cadets, it was a tough start to the game as the Blackbirds came out hot, roughing up a combination of Cadet pitchers.  Logan Brooker, Chad Champion, Nic Schieber , and Miklo Abner all toed the rubber for Hilltop, allowing 11 runs off of 9 hits while advancing 7 runners by walk in the game.

Offensively, Quinn Smith was sharp, connecting for 2 of 3 trips to the plate and recording 2 stolen bases while driving in 1 RBI.  Justin Grapengeter and Jesse Westfall also connected for hits in the Cadet’s   loss.

The Village Reporter will provide addition Sectional Tournament information in an update after conclusion of all of this afternoon’s Sectional D IV Baseball action.

Runs / Hits / Errors

Pettisville  11 – 9 – 1

Hilltop  2 – 4 – 6