BANGOR — The Hillsboro softball team swept host Bangor last Tuesday in a wild and windy SBC doubleheader at Bangor High School.
The Tigers rallied for a 13–12 victory in the opener then did the same as junior Sierra Hanke hit a walk-off single to give Hillsboro a 10–9 victory in the nightcap.
The two teams combined for 44 runs and 54 hits in the two games.
“Strong winds blowing straight out to center made life difficult for all outfielders on Tuesday,” said Hillsboro head coach Mike Burch. “Several balls that should have been caught landed behind the outfielders.”
Hillsboro (5–11, 4–9 SBC) scored six runs in the top of the fourth and held a 7–2 lead, but the Cardinal scored two in the fourth and seven in the fifth to take a 11–7 lead.
“The girls could have easily thrown in the towel, but they fought back and took the lead in the sixth,” said Burch.
Hillsboro scored five runs with two outs to reclaim a 12–11 lead.
The teams traded runs in the seventh, but Hillsboro starting pitcher Brittany Borchardt and the Tigers held on for the one-run victory.
Borchardt (1–2) allowed 12 runs on 17 hits in the complete game victory. She struck out two and walked three.
“Brittany made the Bangor hitters put the ball in play and only walked two batters,” said Burch. “Bangor is a very good hitting club and our defense only committed one error which did not hurt us.”
The key to Hillsboro’s offensive success was the bottom of the order.
The Tigers six, seven and eight hitters, Macy Mislivecek (3-for-4), Mackenzie Sullivan (3-for-3) and Destiny Shore (3-for-3) combined to go 9-for-10 in the game.
Shore, who normally bats right handed, went 3-for-3 and drove in three runs batting from the left side.
In game two, Bangor quickly jumped on Hillsboro starter Lexi Mathis scoring five runs against the sophomore in the top of the second. The Cardinals added three in the fourth and led 9–1 going into the bottom of the fifth inning.
But again Hillsboro rallied.
Five straight singles plated three runs in the fifth inning against Bangor releiver Clements.
In the sixth Hillsboro scored five more on three walks and a pair of singles. Senior catcher Morgen Rynes added a sacrifice fly in the inning.
Hanke finished the game 3-for-4, including the walk-off game-winning single in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Borchardt (2-for-4) and Sullivan (2-for-4) each had two hits in the win.
Mathis (3–6) battled to earn her third win of the season allowing nine runs on 12 hits and eight walks in seven innings.
Thursday afternoon Hillsboro’s three-game losing streak came to an end with a 10–8 loss to Necedah.
The Tigers committed nine errors in the loss and only seven of the Cardinals 10 runs were earned.
Monday Hillsboro dropped a 9–0 decision to Cashton. No other details were known at press time.
The Tigers closed out the regular season Wednesday against Royall. They will now travel to No. 3 Bangor (7–5) Thursday to open the WIAA Division 4 regional playoffs.
