RUSSELLVILLE, Mo. - In a matchup between two teams that reached the state quarterfinals in their respective classes during the spring, the St. Elizabeth Hornets outlasted the Russellville Indians for a 3-2 win in eight innings Monday.
With the score tied at 1 through seven innings, Ross Struemph hit a two-run double in the top of the eighth to give the Hornets a 3-1 lead. Russellville scored a run with two outs in the bottom half, but a runner was thrown out trying to advance from first to third base on the play to end the game.
Nolan Heckemeyer and Aaron Blomberg each had two hits for the Hornets.
Mason Kemna earned the win, pitching two innings of relief while allowing one run on three hits and striking out four. Dakota Kemna picked up the save in the eighth, giving up one run and one walk while striking out two.
Heckemeyer pitched the first five innings, striking out seven.
St. Elizabeth (13-3) hosts Calvary Lutheran on Friday.