NORTH ROBINSON ---  The Colonel Crawford Eagles are back in the D3 Shelby District Semifinal after holding off Oak Harbor 4-1.

 

The #6 Rockets struck first in the first without recording a hit as a walk, hit by pitch and two wild pitches gave them a 1-0 lead.

 

It seemed to be enough offense for starter Ashton Schroeder set down the first nine batters he faced while striking out seven, but the second time through the lineup was a different story as the #1 Eagles figured things out.

 

Micah Thomas started the fourth off with a single and moved to second on a Nolan McKibben sac bunt. Cade Hamilton then knocked Thomas in on a RBI single. Drayton Burkhart then gave them the 2-1 lead with a fielders choice RBI.

 

They added two more in the fifth on Hamilton's second RBI of the game and one by McKibben making it 4-1.

Burkhart started on the mound for Colonel Crawford despite having a blister on his right big toe and battled through after giving up the first inning run. Twice did Oak Harbor put a runner in scoring position with two out and both times Burkhart would get a strikeout to escape.

 

The Rockets gave its best shot at getting back on the board in the seventh getting its first two batters on base. Then with one out, it appeared they would strike to cut into the lead on a line drive to right field, but Caleb Rohr made an acrobatic catch for the second out. After another single loaded the bases putting the tying run on first, Burkhart got a strikeout to end it.

 

The Eagles advance to the D3 Shelby District Semifinal where they will either face Genoa or rival Wynford.

 

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