Late comeback secures title game win
Hesperia overwhelmed Shelby 11-1 in the opener, a 5 inning mercy game. Anderson Boes, Alex Sayer, Travis Kurtz, and Hunter Billman rapped out a pair of hits apiece in the 5 inning win while Kurtz tossed a one hitter striking out 5 and not allowing an earned run. Coach Balkema: “Travis Kurtz was dominant on the mound in game 1. Probably our best defensive performance as a team this season.” The win put the Panthers in the title game where they faced Manistee. Coach Balkema: “In the championship game we were tied up until the top of the 4th, Manistee scored 2 runs, then 3 more in the 5th to put us down 5. We answered back with 4 runs in the 5th. Hunter Billman came in to pitch the 6th and 7th and shut them down, only allowing 1 hit. Down by 1 run going into the 7th we had our 2,3,4 hitters due up, I was confident we could get it done. Blake Sayer had a great at bat and got a walk to start the inning. Kurtz had a hit to right field, then Hunter Billman hit a ground ball up the middle off the glove of the 2nd basemen to drive in Sayer and tie it up. Kohen Heckman was intentionally walked to load the bases with no outs. That brought Sam Gager to the plate with the winning run on 3rd. Gager delivered with a line drive over the shallow left fielder’s head to walk it off. “I’m proud of how the guys didn’t give up being down 5 runs late. The last three innings of the game we had some great at bats that put us in position to win.” Kurtz went 3 for 4 in the title game scoring twice and knocking home a pair of teammates while Heckman added a pair of hits and an RBI. Hesperia is now 5-9 and returns to action Tuesday when they face Kent City in a game played at Cornerstone University
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