By JONNY ZAWACKI

News Sports Writer

HILLMAN – For the second year in a row, the Hillman baseball team won a district title. The Tigers put together two come-from-behind victories over Rogers City and Posen on their home diamond on Saturday to capture the 2016 district crown.

“When myself and coach (Jason) Weiland decided to take this job, we set a goal to be competing for district championships on a yearly basis. We graduated four top players from a year ago and to win it with this group of guys is very special,” Hillman coach Rick Firman said.

It was no easy task for the Tigers on their quest to repeat as district champions. The team faced adversity all season and Saturday was no different, as Hillman trailed as the visiting team in both games.

The Tigers came from behind to defeat a Rogers City team who came into Saturday as reigning district champions and winners of their last eight out of nine games, by a final score of 8-6

The Hurons held a one run lead heading into the bottom of the fourth when they were able to scratch across two more runs off of Hillman pitcher Kyler Moir. Rogers City’s Quintin Kelly and Casey Szatkowski hit back-to-back RBI singles to give the Hurons a three run lead and put Hillman on the ropes.

The Tigers responded an inning later scoring four runs to take their first lead of the game and one they wouldn’t give up. Hillman took advantage of a few costly Huron mistakes and Jared Juergens delivered a big one-out double that scored Brent Kenyon and Dylan Steinke. Two batters later, Caine Hunt singled in Juergens for the go-ahead run.

Hillman added three more runs in the top of the seventh to extend their lead to four. The Hurons wouldn’t go down without a fight as the first three batters of the inning reach base. Rogers City was able to plate two runs, but Moir got Tristan Baller to ground out to short to end the game.

“I just told the boys to keep chipping away. This team is never out of a game. We were able to put some balls in play and we executed really well all day,” Firman said.

Posen went onto defeat Onaway in the second game of the day by a score of 5-2 as Travis Sharpe tossed a complete game and struck out 12 Cardinal batters to send the Vikings to the title game against Hillman.

Sharpe started the first three innings of the championship game before the innings limit came into affect. Sharpe tossed three innings of no-hit ball and struck out four in keeping the Tigers off the board.

Juergens was just as strong in the early stages of the game and the score remained tied until the fifth inning. Hillman scored two runs off of reliever Jared Sharpe as Kenyon and Steinke both led off the inning with back-to-back singles and later scored to put the Tigers ahead by two.

Hillman’s lead was short lived as Posen came storming back in the home half of the inning, scoring three runs to take the lead. Matt Delekta and George Kroll both collected a RBI in the inning after the first three Vikings singled to lead off the inning.

The Tigers were quick to respond, putting up three runs of their own in the top of sixth as Juergens drove in a run and Moir delivered the big two RBI single to knock Jared Sharpe out of the game.

Hillman added another run in the seventh when Kenyon hit a two-out single to score Trenton Hopp who led off the inning with a double.

Juergens retired Posen in order in the bottom of the seventh as the Tigers held on to win by a score of 6-3 and repeat as district champions.

“If you play good defense and you pitch, you have a chance to win and that’s what we did today. I couldn’t be happier to extend the season by another week and compete at regionals,” Firman said.

With the district win, Hillman advances to play on Saturday against Maple City Glen Lake at Lake Leelanau St. Mary.

“We just have to go out play hard and enjoy it. There is nothing like preparing for an elimination game and it should be a fun week for us. I expect us to go over there and play hard like we have all season,” Firman said.