Gates Mills rose 4-1 from the bottom of the sixth inning against Kirtland in their District 6 final, with Hillsdale six-point distance from the second straight district title. Unfortunately, this doesn't cross. Instead, the Hornets’ third regional champion in school history was surpassed by Hillsdale (15-10) in the sixth inning against Kirtland (19-7) and the interfering time of last year’s Division IV semi-finals.
With starting pitcher Aiden Hoffman looking strong in five innings and intact with a three-inning lead, Hillsdale is at its best position to advance to next week’s regional semifinals. But the sixth inning turned into a mess for the Falcons as the Hornets just took over the game.
Kirtland exploded 11 unanswered and got nine hits, while Hillsdale made five defensive mistakes in the sixth inning.
When asked if he had ever been part of a game, things got out of control for teams like the sixth inning and Hillsdale head coach Jason Snow. Worth winning. ”
Hillsdale's five defensive mistakes are a combination of infield and outfield errors. Shortstop Kael Lewis had a throw error on first base, followed by midfielder Brock Bower and right fielder Brady Heller misunderstood a fly ball that was not caught and placed two runners on Kirtland.
Also in the sixth inning, Ball and left fielder Kyle Turk misread two mistakes, as well as third baseman Deacon Boreman throwing errors.
Kirtland seemed to have fallen off the plate and exploited by stringing some huge hits together.
Snow said later that these defensive misfortunes are atypical to his team.
"In the outfield, it's one of our strengths," Snow said. "There are a few games that aren't necessarily routine, but the drama we have to do. Is it a lack of communication sometimes or just a ball that doesn't see. When you make four, five mistakes in an inning, you can lose. Aiden pitches. I feel bad for him. I feel bad for him because he gives us a chance to win."
That's not to say Hillsdale didn't win their 4-1 lead into the sixth inning. In the first five innings, the Falcons eliminated the base 11-3. Lewis, the Turks and Heller each drove to the Falcon.
"I think our guys did a good job on the base, but we threw a few guys on the base," Snow added. "We should have won the game with the way we scored and Aiden pitched. That didn't happen."
For a Hillsdale team that won regional and regional championships last season, while also giving that lead with a state semifinal performance, Snow admits that this year’s team has new players, a much younger player compared to last season’s team, and last season’s team is a very strong five-man senior class. Aside from losing two seniors, the Falcons’ current core will be back, hoping to return to the regional finals and win the game next time.
"I know these guys are hurt. They want to make these plays, but they don't make them," Snow said. "It's been a fun season for us because we lost a lot of leadership last season. We have new roles in new positions. I think we took some time to defence and adjust, but we've been playing really good defense lately. We're always talking about defense, pitching and pitching will win this game.
jamessimpson@gannett.com
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