Hall's hit helps United

Nick Rice
HANOVERTON — Every game needs a hero.

Thanks to United senior Tyler Hall, the Eagles will play at least one more game after his two-run single gave them a 7-6 win over South Range in a Division III sectional opener Tuesday.

“I just wanted to get the opportunity to hit something,” Hall said. “I felt some pressure but I just wanted to treat it like any other at-bat. I was waiting for a fastball and that’s what I got. I’m really excited to get another chance to play.”

Hall’s clutch hit capped a four-run seventh inning by United, which improved to 13-8.

“These kids never gave up all year and it showed today,” United coach Bob Manfull said. “Tyler (Hall) told me he was going to act like it was any other at-bat. He’s came through for us in similar situations a couple of times this year and I had a feeling he could do it again.”

South Range held, what seemed to be a commanding 6-0 lead, in the fourth inning before the Eagles started to chip away.

United’s Andy Sheen brought Steve Needler home on a ground out in the fourth inning while T.J. Rosenberg and McCavitt Carter each crossed home plate in the fifth to make it a 6-3 game after five.

“I knew if we just got a few runs here and there it could change the game,” Manfull said.

The seventh inning is where it all came together for the Eagles. Jimmy Phillis led the inning off with a double and two batters later Jeremy Walker recorded a single to put men on with one out. Phillis and Walker scored on a pair of errors by South Range to cut the score to 6-5.

Ryan Phillis reach base on an error and Jake Snyder hit a double to put two Eagles on the bases with Hall stepping to plate. Hall faced a full count when he delivered the game-winning hit.

“Our defense really picked up late in the game,” Manfull said. “(Jimmy) Phillis did a great job pitching to keep us in the game.”

“(United) did a great job of keeping us off the board late in the game,” South Range coach James Hanek said. “We got a nice lead early in the game but they hung in there and didn’t quit. Give them a ton of credit for battling back.”

Joel Melnick led the Raiders with three hits including a double and an RBI. Steve Bensinger went 2-for-3 with a walk, two stolen bases and a one run double. Isaac Melnik recorded a double and Gerrad Rohan had an RBI in the loss.

“We made way too many mistakes out there,” Hanek said. “You can’t give a good team like United more than three outs or they’ll make you pay. We’ve let a lot of leads slip this year it’s just a shame it had to happen again today.”

Hall led the Eagles with three hits, including a double. Jimmy Phillis had two doubles and Carter had a pair of singles. Ryan Phillis had a single and an RBI while Jake Snyder had a double to reach base in the seventh inning.

“South Range played a great game, but someone had to lose tonight,” Manfull said. “We’re ready for East Palestine. They’re a very good team and all nine batters on that team can hit. We’ll have to play our best ball to beat them, but I’m confident that we can do it.”

The Eagles will travel to East Palestine today for the sectional final.



SR: 1-0-3-2-0-0-0—6- 6-5

UN: 0-0-0-1-2-0-4—7-12-2

UN—Jimmy Phillis, wp (3IP, 4K, 1BB), Jake Snyder (3 1/3IP, 4K, 5BB), McCavitt Carter (2/3IP, 1K) and T.J. Rosenberg.

SR—Tom Biroschak, lp (7IP, 2K, 1B) and Mike Rohan.