Boling wins series in the 11th inning over Hardin 3-2
Hardin's Hunter Caldwell takes a hack at a pitch on Monday night at Navasota High School against Boling. The Vindicator | Jerry Michalsky
Mason Hudnall of Hardin comes over the top for this pitch against Boling on Monday night in Navasota. The Vindicator | Jerry Michalsky
In one of the best high school baseball games you will ever see, the Hardin Hornets and Boling Bulldogs played their hearts out on Monday night at Navasota High School in game three of a Class 3-A Region III Bi-district tilt, with the winner making it to the Area Championship. In a game that needed 11-innings, it was Boling getting a sacrifice fly with one out in the bottom of the 11th to send the Bulldogs home a winner. Hardin left town also a winner as they gave the district champions all they could handle and then some. Mason Hudnall started for the Hornets and pitched almost eight innings of brilliant baseball. Rylee Board pitched well also for Hardin. Boling got on the board in the first inning with a two-run single by Andrew Gonzales to move in front 2-0. The Hornets then responded with a pair of runs of their own in the top of the second frame. Caden Elmore doubled, and then Ryan Harris was hit-by-a-pitch. Jaden Parrish then singled to load the bases. Blain Thornton followed by hitting into a fielder’s choice to score Elmore to make it a 2-1 game. Board then followed with a single to plate Harris to tie the score at 2-apiece. Pitching then took over as Hudnall and Bulldogs starter Jacob Kalina shut both offenses down until Hardin put something together in the seventh. Thornton singled, and then Board followed with an infield hit to put a couple of runners on. Kalina then settled down to get out of the inning without any more damage. Boling then loaded the bases in the eighth inning, but a great play at shortstop by Hayden Sopchak got the Hornets out of the jam. Hardin threatened in the 11th inning with singles by Hudnall and Elmore before Brandon Zapalac of the Bulldogs got the third out of the frame. Boling then loaded the bases in the bottom of the 11th, and with one out, it was Colby Chilek hitting a fly ball to right field that was deep enough to bring home Sammy Rodriguez with the winning run for the Bulldogs. Elmore and Board each had a pair of hits for the Hornets.