Elrosa­ - Spring Hill, fell 4-3 and 3-2 to St. Martin Sunday, Aug. 10 and finished second in the Region 15C tournament. “We could not get the big hits,” said Co-Manager [RandySchoenberg].“Wehad our chances, but…” He let the unfinished sentence trail in the realm of what might have been.  Spring Hill had needed only one win to take the championship.

St. Martin 4, Spring Hill 3

The Chargers led for most of the first game of the 15Cchampionshipround.St. Martin had defeated New Munich 9-3 earlier in the day.  The Chargers jumped to a 2-0 second inning lead on a single by Nathan Terres and Louie Opatz, and a double by Cody Eichers.  After St. Martin tied the game in the fifth inning, Eichers singled in Corey Schoenberg to give Spring Hill a 3-2 lead.  The Chargers kept that lead until the final inning when St. Martin had a single by Michael Schlangen, and double by Matthew Schlangen and a two-run single by Kurt Schlangen.  Spring Hill was retired in order in the ninth, ending the game.  Corey Schoenberg, who pitched the final inning and one-third was charged with the loss. Bryan Schlangen was the winning pitcher.

St. Martin 3, Spring Hill 2

Shawn Schoenberg’s fifth inning single and a sixth-inning sacrifice fly by Eric Schoenberg helped Spring Hill tie the game at 2-2 in the sixth inning of the second game.  Again they were unable to capitalize on the momentum.  The Martins rallied in the bottom of the sixth as Scott Schlangen scored on an infield error. Besides Eichers, Jamie Terres also doubled for Spring Hill.  Jordan Welle was charged with the loss.  Kurt Schlangen earned the win.

Spring Hill 6, St. Martin 3

Spring Hill reached the championship round with its 6-3 win over St. Martin Friday,Aug. 8.  The Chargers never trailed in the game, but needed a ninth inning rally to take the win.  The offensive and defensive play of Jamie Terres were keys to the Charger victory.  Terres’ two-run double in the third inning gave Spring Hill a 2-0 lead. In the eighth inning he singled in a run as the Chargers went up 3-1.

Defensively he finished with two puts and six assists and participated in the only double play of the game.

Both pitchers had good defense playing behind them as no errors were recorded. There were only two walks in the game.  Behind the pitching of Ethan Vogt, drafted from Elrosa, the lead appeared solid. In the bottom of the eighth St. Martin, which had six hits and a run in the first seven innings, came back to tie the game.  Kyle Lieser opened the inning with a single and Kurt Schlangen followed with RBI double. With one out Bryan Schlangen walked and Jordan Moscho singled to load the bases.  Scott Schlangen’s who had singled and scored in the fifth inning, hit a sacrifice y to tie the score.  The Martins thought they had taken the lead when Michael Schlangen appeared to have beaten the throw to first, but the umpire ruled him out and the inning ended.

Cody Eichers greeted St. Martin relief pitcher Josh Stangler with a home run putting Spring Hill back ahead 4-3.  After a walk to Louie Opatz, the next two batters were retired.  Eric Terres doubled in Opatz and Jamie Terres’ third hit of the night scored Eric Terres.

In the bottom half the ninth St. Martin was retired in order. The Chargers have quali fied for state play and will be facing some of the best teams in the single elimination tournament.

“It will get tougher as it goes on,” said Schoenberg. “The farther you go the tougher it gets.”

(Melrose Beacon)