Neoga, South Central Advance To Regional Title Games

ALTAMONT -- South Central pulled out a 9-8 victory over Altamont Thursday in the Class 1A Altamont Baseball Regional to move into the championship game.

The Cougars took a 2-1 first inning lead as Bray walked and Powless reached on an error then Ross hit a single scoring both runners. The Cougars had a three-run third as Smith led off with a home run, Bray drew a walk and Powless then nailed a home run.

Altamont pulled within 5-4 in the top of the fourth. N. Miller singled then followed an error, a walk and another error. Ziegler singled home two runs.

The Indians pushed ahead 6-5 with two runs in the fifth. Borders started the frame off with a single, stole second and third. Guerrettaz reached on an error. N. Miller followed with an RBI single and when the dust cleared, the Indians were in the lead.

But South Central tallied four runs in the bottom of the frame to take a 9-6 lead. Smith singled followed by a third Cougar home run as Bray connected. Powless reached on an error and Ross drew a walk. Holmes followed with a single. Hill reached on an error that tallied a run.

Altamont made a big comeback, scoring two runs in the top of the seventh on a double by K. Wolff. Two walks, a hit by pitch and single by Armstrong scored two runs to pull the Indians within 9-8 but a strikeout ended the contest.

South Central advances to the regional title contest against North Clay (Louisville) at 11 a.m. Saturday.

Class 1A Altamont Regional

Altamont                   100    320    2    --    8-7-6

South Central          203    040    x    --    9-6-6

WP -- Powless. LP -- Ziegler.

Altamont -- Winn, triple; Ziegler, single, 2 RBI; Wolff, double; Borders, single; Miller, 2 singles; Armstrong, single

South Central -- Smith, single, home run, 1 RBI; Bray, home run, 2 RBI; Powless, home run, 2 RBI; Ross, single, 2 RBI; Holmes, single

Class 1A Windsor Regional

Neoga went 10 innings to pull out a 1-0 win over Central A&M to advance to the championship game.

Central A&M took a 1-0 first inning lead but Neoga came back with a run in the fourth. The game went into extra innings before Neoga pulled out the victory in the tenth.

Guy Walk picked up his fifth pitching win, going four inings allowing one hit and striking out four. Walk also went four for four with four singles. Tyler Romack and Trevor Easton had a double each. Easton added a single and an RBI.

Neoga improves to 19-8-1 and will face Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg Saturday at 11 a.m. for the championshp.

Class 1A Windsor Regional

Central A&M          100    000    000    0    --    1-5-2

Neoga                      000    100    000    1    --    2-9-2

WP -- Walk. LP -- Miller.

Central A&M -- Miller, single

Neoga -- Kingery, single; Romack, double; Walk, 4 singles; Easton, single, double, 1 RBI; Moore, single