EUGENE - Hunter Hennier hit a three-run home run in the top of the sixth inning to lift the third-seeded Fatima Comets to an 11-8 win against top-seeded Blair Oaks in the championship game of the Class 3 District 13 Tournament on Wednesday.
Blair Oaks (22-8) trailed 8-2 after five innings, but the Falcons scored six runs in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game at eight.
The Comets (18-9) had a response.
John Fick and Reid Kesel both singled and Hennier followed with a home run to give Fatima a three-run lead. The Comets didn't look back from there.
Hennier finished district play with three home runs and seven RBI to help pave the way for Fatima, the defending state champions.
"He had a huge district," Fatima coach Scott Kilgore said. "He's really been lighting it up."
Kesel pitched 21/3 scoreless innings in relief to earn the win for the Comets, who will play Monday at Holden in a sectional game. The senior allowed three hits and struck out two to close the door on the Falcons.
Kesel was also 3-for-3 with three RBI, while Hennier was 2-for-4 with three RBI to lead Fatima at the plate. Will Robertson, Zach Hudspeth and Matt Temmen all drove in a run, while John Fick added two hits.
Fatima scored four runs in the third, two in the fourth, and one in the fifth to take an 8-2 lead before Blair Oaks showed some life with a six-run fifth inning.
"Our kids did a good job. They battled," Falcons coach Harv Antle said. "They could have easily rolled over when we were down six runs going into the late innings, but they rallied and battled back there. Unfortunately it just didn't work out for us."
Logan Gratz was 3-for-4 with two RBI, while Hayden Haney and James Reinkemyer each added a hit and two RBI to lead the Falcons, offensively. Logan Bax chipped in with two hits for Blair Oaks, which tallied 10 in the game.
Alex Dickneite got the start for Fatima, allowing five runs on six hits, while walking two and striking out three in four innings. Tony Swarthout yielded three runs (two earned) in two-thirds of an inning before handing the ball to Kesel.
Blair Oaks starting pitcher Collin Luebbering allowed five runs on five hits, while walking two and striking out one in two innings. Shintaro Hatashima also threw two innings, allowing two runs (no earned) on three hits.
"I think we dug ourselves too big of a hole," Antle said. "We made some mistakes early on on the mound, had a little trouble finding the strike zone. They took a big lead early and they were able to add to it."
Bryce Prtchett took the loss after allowing four runs on five hits in 12/3 innings. Cody Stegemann pitched the final 11/3 innings, striking out two without allowing a hit or a run.