In Wednesday’s first-round Class 1A Sectional 54 game between Sheridan and Frontier, both teams scored early and often.
The Blackhawks got the go-ahead run in the bottom of the fifth inning, and that sent them past the Frontier 10-9 in a wild contest at Tri-County. Sheridan advances to Friday’s semi-finals to take on Rossville.
Frontier jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the top of the first inning. The ‘Hawks quickly worked their way back into the game, scoring five runs in the bottom of the inning. Silas DeVaney singled in Dayne Voege and Cole Macintosh, then Ty Macy blasted a triple to score Sebastian Salazar, DeVaney and Camden Spencer.
In the second inning, Frontier posted three runs to go up 9-5. Sheridan answered again. Salazar doubled Macintosh home, then DeVaney hit a sacrifice fly to send in Salazar.
The Blackhawks were within 9-7, and they cut the lead to 9-8 in the third inning. Salazar hit a left field single to score Voege. Sheridan tied the game in the fourth inning when Macy stole home plate.
Finally, the Blackhawks took the lead in the fifth inning when Voege got home on an error. Sheridan allowed only one Frontier baserunner in each of the sixth and seventh innings, then Salazar threw three straight strikeouts to finish the game, earning the save.
Salazar had two hits, while DeVaney and Macy both drove in three runs. Clinton Slopsema pitched four innings to get the win.
The ‘Hawks are 10-13 for the season and take on Rossville at 5:30 p.m. on Friday in the first semi-final game. South Newton and Clinton Central play in the second semi-final game at 7:30 p.m.
SHERIDAN 10, FRONTIER 9
Sheridan AB R H RBI
Dayne Voege 2 3 1 0
Cole Macintosh 3 2 0 0
Sebastian Salazar 2 2 2 2
Zach Bales 3 0 1 0
Silas DeVaney 2 1 1 3
Camden Spencer 3 1 1 0
Jack Crail 4 0 1 0
Ty Macy 3 1 1 3
David Will 0 0 0 0
Clinton Slopsema 2 0 0 0
Evan Grinstead 0 0 0 0
Totals 24 10 8 8
Score by Innings
Frontier 630 000 0 – 9 10 2
Sheridan 521 110 x – 10 8 2
3B: Macy. 2B: Crail, Salazar. SB: Macintosh 2, Voege 2, Bales, DeVaney, Grinstead, Macy, Will. SAC: DeVaney. HBP: DeVaney, Macintosh, Spencer, Voege.
Sheridan pitching IP R ER H
Bales 2 9 4 8
Slopsema (W) 4 0 0 1
Salazar (S) 1 0 0 1
Strikeouts: Slopsema 4, Salazar 3, Bales 2. Walks: Bales 2, Slopsema 2.