HAMLER — In a wild back-and-forth affair, Napoleon scored first and last to overcome a Patrick Henry rally and post a 12-9 win Saturday afternoon at Garrold Parratt Field.
The Wildcats scored six runs in the first inning and led 8-2 after three innings, but the Patriots rallied for five runs in the fifth and then tied the game at 9 in the sixth inning. Napoleon finally put the game away with three runs in the seventh.
The Cats batted around the order in the first inning, with Luke Hardy driving in the first two runs with a two-out double. Jacob Shadle followed with a RBI double and after loading the bases with a single and walk, Owen Espinoza hit a two-run single and Trey Rubinstein, who was hit by a pitch to start the inning, singled home the final run of the frame.
Mack Hieber led off the Patriots’ big fifth inning with a single and Logan Hudson followed with a RBI double. After loading the bases with a walk and an error, Hudson scored on a passed ball and Daniel Schmeltz and Drew Rosengarten each had RBI singles. Schmeltz scored the final run, stealing home when the Wildcats threw out the runner attempting to steal second.
Blake Wolf homered for Napoleon in the sixth, but PH tied the game with two runs in the bottom of the inning, including a RBI single by Nash Meyer.
In the seventh, a pair of one-out walks started the Wildcats’ rally. Devin Dietrich drove in a run with a single, and after an error brought home another run, Lucas Gerken’s RBI groundout made it 12-9.
Hardy pitched the final two innings to earn the win. Hardy did not allow a run on one hit and struck out one. Wolf started the game and went five innings, allowing seven runs — four earned — on seven hits and four walks, while striking out seven.
Mason Schwiebert took the loss, pitching the final inning in relief. Hieber started the game and went 2 1/3 innings, while Aiden Behrman pitched 3 2/3 innings and allowed just one run on four hits, while striking out five.
Napoleon (10-13-1) hosts Bowling Green Tuesday at 5 p.m., while Patrick Henry (16-6) hosts the winner of Holgate and Leipsic in the Division IV sectional finals Thursday at 5 p.m.
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