A picture of a Huntley Project Little League team warming up for a game at Worden’s Hansen Park. (Photo by Jonathan McNiven)
by Jonathan McNiven
WORDEN — The HP 9-10 Majors Little League team advanced to the quarter finals of the Tournament of Champions on Monday in a pitchers dual to win 3-2 in the bottom of the last inning.
The HP 9-10 Majors played head to head against Billings’ Boulder Arrowhead team 5 at Hansen Park in Worden with the first three innings scoreless at 0-0. However, the score reflected a defensive effort and battle on both sides of the plate as key plays kept the game close all the way.
The pitching dual started with HP’s Wyatt Hayden pitching the first inning with a 3 up 3 down combo. He was supported by some key plays in the outfield to keep HP into the game with Gage McNiven (center fielder) catching two hits in the outfield to end the third inning. HP hung in there the fourth inning to allow two runs from Boulder Arrowhead to score while Ethan Osness (left fielder) caught a fly ball to left field and threw out a runner at third base for a double-play out to end the fourth inning.
There were two other plays in the fifth inning that were almost double plays from support from the infield players, but HP kept its focus as a team one out at a time. HP continued a team effort from there on out.
Wylee Lindeen entered the pitching mound to close out the last 3 innings and help set up HP for the last inning, leaving multiple players scoreless on base to set up HP’s final push.
With HP scoreless and down 2 points with the score of 2-0, Wyatt Hayden was walked with bases loaded for the first time of the game for HP. Feeling the pressure and ready to answer the call of his teammates, Wylee Lindeen hit a line drive to the sweet spot between center and right field to bring in all three base runners, Devin O’Neill, Cooper Lane and Wyatt Hayden, to win their second game of the tournament 3-2.
When asked his thoughts about the team, Coach Shane Lile said that they are really playing like a disciplined baseball team and he’s proud of how far they have come this season.
The HP 9-10 Majors team was scheduled to play in the quarter final game at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 24 at Veterans Park in Billings. For up-to-date scores and bracket, view the link here.
Update: The game had been moved to Veterans Park in Billings as of early this morning. View the link above for directions.
(Video taken by Jonathan McNiven)
