The Humboldt/Hartford Gamecocks led for most of the game, but had to rally in the eighth inning for an 11-7 win over the Canova Gang in the District 4B Championship game in Dell Rapids on Saturday, July 30th.
The Gamecocks jumped ahead early with three runs in the bottom of the first. Joe Hanisch had an RBi single, and Broc Haldeman followed with a two-run single. Canova tied the game with three runs in the top of the third, but the Gamecocks quickly regained the lead in the bottom of the inning. Hanisch had a solo home run to center field to make the score 4-3.
Devon Garry also hit a home run, a two-run shot to left field, in the bottom of the fourth inning to push the Gamecock lead to 6-3. Canova cut the lead to 6-5 with a two-run top of the fifth. The score remained 6-5 until the top of the eighth. The Gang took their first lead, 7-6, with a two-run top of the eighth.
Humboldt/Hartford answered with a five-run bottom of the eighth. Brandon McKnight had an RBI ground ball to tie the game 7-7 and then later scored on an error. Clayton Hanisch scored on a wild pitch to make the score 9-7. Cam Quigley had an RBI single, and Chad Morrison scored the final run on a passed ball.
J. Hanisch had a big night with five hits, hitting for the cycle with two singles, a double, triple, and home run, and also had two RBIs. Haldeman had four hits, one a double, and two RBIs. Garry had two hits, one a home run, and an RBI. Quigley also had two hits and an RBI. McKnight finished with a single and RBI. Morrison had two hits, one a double. Adam Hentges added a single.
Five different players took to the mound for the Gamecocks. Micah Warrington pitched three innings and allowed three earned runs on five hits and a walk. Drew Maras pitched 2 1/3 innings and allowed three hits and a walk. Landry Knight pitched 1 2/3 innings and allowed two earned runs on a hit and four walks with a strikeout. Noah Vettrus also pitched 1 2/3 innings and allowed two hits with two strikeouts. Quigley threw 1/3 of an inning and allowed two earned runs on two hits.
Haldeman was named the tournament’s MVP and Batting Champion.