(Batesville, IN) – South Dearborn got past Franklin County 2-1 in the opening game of the Class 3A Sectional 29 baseball tournament at Batesville High School on Thursday evening.
The Knights plated 2 runs in the bottom of the 2nd inning to open the scoring. Jackson Johnson reached on an error with one out. Maddox Williams and Dakota Cochran walked to load the bases with two outs before Tyler Gulden singled to bring in Johnson and Williams.
Mason Hamlett made the lead hold up before Franklin County got on the board in the top of the 6th inning.
Kyle Bolser opened the inning with a double. He would steal 3rd base. Walks to Gavin Trammel and Drake Fredrick loaded the bases with two outs.
Tyleyer Gulden, on in relief for SD, hit Blake Stephenson to force in the first run for the Wildcats.
The next batter had a 3-1 count. On the next pitch, it was called strike two but the batter and runner on 3rd both thought it was called ball four. The Knights alertly tagged the 3rd base runner out to end the inning.
In the bottom of the 7th, pinch hitter RJ Veeneman doubled with two outs but Gulden was able to induce a ground out by the next batter to end the game.
Hamlett earned the win for the Knights, pitching 5 1/3 innings, allowing six hits, one run (earned) while striking out seven.
Gulden came on for the final five outs to pick up the save, punching out two.
Stephenson tossed a complete game but took the loss for Franklin County. He allowed just two runs on six hits with eight strikeouts.
South Dearborn advances to the sectional semifinal and will play host Batesville on Friday evening. First pitch is at 5:30 p.m.
You can hear game on 103.9 FM and the WRBI App starting with pre-game coverage at 5:15 p.m.
(Information provided by WRBI sportscaster Steve Giesting)