Four-run 6th propels Hawkeyes to district title
SOUTH HAVEN, Mich. — The Hamilton baseball team can lay claim to a district championship for the third time in the past five seasons.
Senior shortstop R.J. Flowers’ two-RBI triple and his ensuing run on an errant throw capped a four-run sixth inning again Allegan to help hand the Hawkeyes a 9-6 victory and their first district title since 2009 Saturday.
Hamilton defeated host South Haven 12-4 Saturday morning to advance to the championship game.
The Hawkeyes (23-7) advance to regional play next Saturday at Gull Lake High School.
GAME ONE
Hamilton 12, South Haven 4
Senior center fielder Connor Hagen started the game with a leadoff home run, but South Haven responded early.
The Rams scored three in the bottom of the opening frame, but the Hawkeyes proved to be too much to handle. Hamilton pounded out 15 hits and scored in every inning but one.
Senior lefty Nate White improved his unbeaten record to 11-0 and struck out eight while walking four. White was also 3-for-4 with two doubles and two RBIs.
Junior Keith Phillips was 3-for-5 with a double, senior Adam Schreur was 2-for-4 with a double, and junior Joey DeGood was 2-for-3. Senior Brandon Hulst had a double and 3 RBIs.
GAME TWO
Hamilton 9, Allegan 6
Hamilton started fast once again, plating five runs over the first three innings. Allegan, however, fought back to take the lead in the fifth inning.
Following a dropped third strike, Allegan pieced together two singles and a walk. With the bases loaded, the Tigers smashed a grand slam to take a momentary 6-5 lead.
But, with two on in the top of the sixth inning, Flowers tagged a two-RBI triple and scored himself when an errant relay throw caromed to the backstop.
Senior Cody Buresh (5-1) relieved Phillips in the fifth inning and earned the win. In almost three innings of work, Buresh walked three and fanned two batters.
