Sheridan won its first-round game at Sectional 54 Thursday, beating Faith Christian 7-4 at the Blackhawks’ field.
Playing as the away team, Sheridan scored three runs in the top of the first inning. Steve Smith led off with a double, then Cameron Hovey drew a walk. Smith scored on an error, then Sean Speck singled home Hovey. Jake Vita later hit a sacrifice fly to send Speck home.
The ‘Hawks added two runs in the fifth inning. Reece Fisher scored on an error, then Hovey hit a sacrifice fly to bring in Nolan Buckner. Sheridan scored two more runs in the seventh: Kyle Archer batted in Hovey, then scored when Jake O’Hara reached on error.
Smith and Speck both had two hits for the game. O’Hara hit a double in the sixth inning. Fisher got the pitching win, striking out four in four and two-thirds innings.
Sheridan is 13-5 for the season and plays Frontier, a 13-7 winner over Pioneer, in the second semi-final game which starts at 7:30 p.m. tonight. Clinton Central and Rossville play the first semi-final game at 5 p.m.
Sheridan 7, Faith Christian 4
Sheridan AB R H RBI
Steve Smith 4 1 2 0
Cameron Hovey 1 2 0 1
Sean Speck 4 1 2 1
Kyle Archer 3 1 1 1
Jake Vita 2 0 0 1
Jake O’Hara 3 0 1 0
Caine Spencer 4 0 0 0
Walker Casler 1 0 0 0
Reece Fisher 1 1 0 0
Nolan Buckner 3 1 1 0
Drake Delph 0 0 0 0
Score by innings
Sheridan 300 020 2 – 7 7 1
Faith Christian 110 002 0 – 4 6 3
2B: O’Hara, Smith. SB: Smith 2, Fisher, Hovey, Speck. SAC: Archer, Hovey, Vita.
Sheridan pitching IP R ER H
Casler 1.1 2 2 2
Fisher (W) 4.2 2 0 4
Buckner (S) 1.0 0 0 0
Strikeouts: Fisher 4, Buckner 3, Casler 1. Walks: Casler 2.