MARENGO --- The Highland Scots are heading to the regional round after a 4-3, 11-inning thriller over Lakewood for its first District Championship in 15 years.

 

The #2 Scots struck first in the first on a RBI squeeze play by Dom Carter and added another in the inning on a Zach Pinkerton RBI groundout for a 2-0 lead.

 

From there, both starting pitchers locked things down as Highland starter Blake Jodrey was perfect through three innings and took a no-hitter into the fifth. Lancers starter Colt Vierstra was just as good after the first inning allowing three hits the rest of regulation.

 

Lakewood would finally break through in the sixth loading the bases with two out when Landon Grosse sent a 2 RBI single through the middle to tie the game.

 

The game would head to extra innings with both teams having multiple chances to take the lead or walk-off. The Lancers would get a 3-2 lead in the 10th on a squeeze play by Ryan Ogilbee. They then had Highland down to its final out when Rider Minnick hit an infield single. He then stole second and scored on a Randy Cain bloop RBI single to right.

 

After a Lakewood 1-2-3 top of the 11th, the Scots went to work in the bottom as Pinkerton reached via error to start the inning then advanced to second on a perfect bunt single by Jon Jensen. After a pop out for the first out, Brock Church singled to right to load the bases.

 

Cooper Merckling then came to the plate and laid down a squeeze bunt which was fielded and thrown home. The catcher went for the tag, but blocked the plate prior to receiving the ball resulting in an obstruction call allowing Pinkerton to score the winning run.

 

Highland advances to the Regional Semifinals where they will face Dayton Carroll on Thursday at 5:00 at Mason H.S.

 

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