By Sean Duncan

SAUGET - In a game that featured 26 hits, 17 walks and a whole lot of time, Belleville Althoff outlasted Festus 15-9 in the first of four Saturday games of the Illinois-Missouri Border War at GCS Ballpark.

Playing in cold and windy conditions, Althoff (2-1) scored nine runs in the final two innings, including six in the fifth, to pull away from Festus (1-1). The Crusaders tallied 12 hits against five Festus pitchers, who combined to walk 10 batters.

“That was a long game in tough conditions,” said Althoff coach Brett Isaacs. “I was real proud of the kids not succumbing to the conditions when they got down. They kept battling and battling.”

All starters contributed to Althoff’s offensive outburst. Starting pitcher Sam Lidsky went 1-for-2 with two walks and three RBI, two of which came on a second-inning double. Catcher Nick Krietenmeyer had two hits and three RBI while Sam Wahlig contributed two hits and two runs. Brendan Phillips went 2-for-2 with a double, two walks and three runs.

Althoff jumped out early, scoring four runs in the first inning. Brady Novak delivered the big blow with a two-run double.

Brendon Neel paced Festus’ offense by going 2-for-3, including a three-run triple in the fifth inning. Neel was on base four times and had four RBI.