The first time Conway and Hartville played was the first game of the season, when the majority of the team had just walked off the basketball court. Conway won it 4-3 in 10 innings, and the second meeting between the two teams, Hartville wanted their redemption.
This one would be a game of pitching — Ryan Dame on the mound for Conway, setting down Isaac Boyer to end the 2nd inning, no score on the board.
Hartville sophomore Brody McNiel on the bump, with D-I interest, with an offer from Missouri State, and here’s why.
The kid struck out 16 batters through 7 and a third innings.
“He’s a special special player, we’re very fortunate he’s a Hartville Eagle,” said Hartville head coach Clint Horn.
In extra innings again, scoreless in the top of the 8th. Senior Braden Branstetter strikes out 2 to head to the bottom of the frame.
“Our pitching has carried us the most. Branstetter has a .400 ERA, or something like that, and our third has a 3.00 ERA or something like that,” McNiel said.
0-0 in the bottom of the 8th, Hartville has runners on 2nd and 3rd, and McNiel shows off his bat, with the game-winning hit, running in hunter lowery to win the game, 1-nothing the final score.
“I told our guys going into the last inning, if we can get Eli, Ryce and Brody up we’re going to win. Luckily Brody came through for me with the shot to left field,” Horn said.
“It feels good. It’s almost like a Greenwood Hartville game, once you lose to them once you want to go pound their head in again,” said Branstetter.
With this win Hartville has 20 Ws in the record book and there’s a good chance these teams will meet again in the playoffs.
