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Tigers look to avenge last season’s loss to Maple City Glen Lake

By JONNY ZAWACKI

News Sports Writer

HILLMAN – The Hillman baseball team is in familiar territory.

For the second year in a row, the Tigers won a district title, earning the right to compete for another regional title. Standing in their way in a regional semifinal game on Saturday is Maple City Glen Lake (31-8-1), team that broke the Tigers’ hearts last year in the regional championship game.

“They are a well coached team, they play a tough schedule and are always a good baseball team. That is the level of program we want to be and if we want to be at that level, we have to beat these teams,” Hillman coach Rick Firman said.

The Lakers ended Hillman’s season a year ago, edging the Tigers 2-1 in a regional final that ended with the potential tying run being thrown out at the plate.

The two teams will clash this year with a chance to get to the regional final, but this season the Tigers have revenge on their mind as they seek their first regional title since 1997.

“We have a lot of momentum going into this game. We want to get some revenge on the team who knocked us out in the regional finals last year and I feel like we have the team to do it,” Bubba Banks said

It has been a rollercoaster ride of a season for the Tigers as they suffered some disappointing losses, but have found ways to win important games and keep their season alive. After graduating several key players from a year ago, there was questions to whether or not this Hillman team could repeat as district champs and compete for a regional title.

“Everyone has played an important role on this team and we feel good. There wasn’t many people at the beginning of the year that gave this group a chance after the players we graduated last year, but these kids have worked hard and improved all year. Getting to this point in the season is just a testament to the hard work that they have put in,” Firman said.

Throughout the season, Hillman has shown signs of improvement in every aspect of the game, from top to bottom.

Led by two steady arms at the top of their rotation, both Kyler Moir and Jared Juergens have been lights out all season long, both carrying under a 2.00 ERA.

Dylan Steinke makes up the other half of the battery behind the plate and has excelled both offensively and defensively. Steinke has done a good job calling the game for all pitchers, has a good arm and is the table setter atop a balanced Tigers batting order that features steady bats in Caine Hunt, Andrew Funk, Trenton Hopp and Kory Henigan.

Banks is a defensive standout, patrolling center field, he has made big plays all season long.

“I think both teams match up well. They are a good team, but we’re going to show them what we have and play our best game. We don’t take losing well, we all love to compete and we have a lot of heart,” Steinke said.

After being forced to battle back and come from behind to win two district games last weekend, Hillman is riding a wave of momentum right now and seems to be playing its best baseball at the right time.

“It’s awesome to be able to compete for a regional championship. This is the kind of program we want to be, to be able to compete for titles year in and year out. The amount of support we have gotten from the community is huge and it’s just great to see the community so involved with this team,” Firman said.

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