Indians lose season opener to Western Brown
Saturday (March 29) was the 2025 season opener for the Hillsboro Indians, as the home team HHS squad lost to the visiting Western Brown 8-3 in the non-conference contest.
Western Brown led 1-0 after the top of the first, and it was Hillsboro building a 3-1 advantage with a three-run bottom of the second.
In the bottom of the second inning, HHS began with a single by Walker Pence, followed by a Gavin Greer walk. After two outs, Brayden Hunter took first base on catcher’s interference to load the bases. HHS scored their first run when Pence scored on an error by the catcher, and Wesley Bailey then walked to reload the bases.
HHS took a 2-1 lead with Greer scoring a run on a wild pitch, then the third run came with Hunter scoring on a walk forced by Jack Cornele, who gained an RBI.
Those were the only runs scored by the Indians, and Western Brown rallied for seven unanswered run with one run in the top of the third, four runs in the fourth, one run in the top of the sixth and one run in the seventh inning for their eight total runs. Western Brown also had 10 hits in the game and committed four errors.
The Indians in the game totaled one hit and committed three errors.
Hillsboro’s lone hit was from Pence, who finished 1-for-3 with a run scored. Also for the Indians, Zack Brown forced a walk, Cornele had one RBI and a walk and Greer totaled one run and a walk. HHS saw Hunter finish the game with a run, and Bailey had two walks. Pence collected the lone stolen base for Hillsboro.
Luke Holland was charged with the loss on the mound, allowing four earned runs on six hits and two walks with three strikeouts in 3.1 innings pitched. Nate Lane pitched 3.2 innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits and one walk with three strikeouts.
The loss sends Hillsboro to an overall record of 0-1 this season.
Next for HHS is a game Monday, March 31 at home against the Fayetteville Rockets in non-conference action.
WBHS 101 401 1 — 8 10 4
HHS 030 000 0 — 3 1 3
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