By Mathew Lee

After splitting their league series earlier in the season, Hillsdale and Smithville squared off in sectional showdown on Monday night.

With an offensive outburst, Hillsdale advanced with a commanding 21-3 victory over Smithville and now faces Norwayne in the sectional championship.

Hillsdale started off strong in the bottom half of the first inning after shutting down Smithville in the top half. They were able to hit plate three runs and never looked back. Eventually, they scored nine more runs in the 2^nd inning to go up 12-0.

Smithville countered in the top half of the third by scoring three runs on four hits off Hillsdale’s starting pitcher senior Brock Bowling. Singles by freshman Andy Blough, senior Kenny Larabee, junior Adam Lehm, and senior Micah Steiner provided the damage to make the score 12-3.

Not willing to give up the momentum, Hillsdale exploded once again with eight runs in the bottom half of the third to make the score 20-3. Mount Union recruit Sam Young led off the inning with a towering homerun to center. Hillsdale tacked on another run in the 4^th inning to end the game at 21-3.

Offensively, Hillsdale had several stars. Junior Dexter Rodgers 3-3 with 5 RBI; senior Trevor Cline 2-4 with 4 RBI; Bowling 2-4 with 1 RBI; Young 2-4 with 2 RBI; senior Josh Horst 2-3 with 3 RBI; freshman Doug Cline 2-4 with 1 RBI; and Riley Harpster 3-4.

Junior Zane Gross pitched a scoreless 4^th and 5^th inning. Smithville starter senior Tommy Nolt suffered the loss.

Hillsdale moves to 19-7 on the year and faces Norwayne in the sectional championship on Wednesday.