Kiefer launches 'Rocket' in HHS win over Fayetteville
Lead Summary

By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
Just a couple hours after defeating rival McClain in a suspended game, the Hillsboro Indians were back at it again in the friendly confines of Shaffer Park. As the game was deadlocked at four in the bottom of the fourth inning, Dow Kiefer blasted a three-run home run to put the Tribe up for good, defeating the Fayetteville Rockets 10-4 Tuesday.
The game was tied at four headed into the bottom of the fourth with Hillsboro stepping to the plate.
After the Indians committed the first out of the inning, Airic Steagall reached first via walk. Paul Snyder also forced a base on balls in the ensuing at-bat to give the Tribe two base runners with one out.
Those bases didn't stayed occupied for long, as Kiefer vacated the bases with a three-run shot over the left field fence, sailing by the foul pole, as the ball sailed over 315 feet.
"We were down early," HHS head coach Rusty Swackhamer said. "Again, it took us a few innings to get our bats going, but once we did, we were able to score runs and get hits.
"Dow's home run was huge. He has been hitting well lately."
HHS added three more runs in the bottom of the sixth.
Kiefer walked to lead off the inning. He was followed with a single by Eli Hogsett, as Hogsett beat out the throw to first base. Logan Watson then doubled, scoring both runners. After reaching third on a ball that sailed out of play, Watson scored on a ground out by Patrick Garman. Watson scored with a Pete Rose head-first slide into home plate, beating the throw to home.
Hillsboro started the game in the hole, as they allowed the Rockets to score four combined runs in the first and third innings with three of the runs coming in the top of the first.
Scoring for Fayetteville, of the Southern Hills League, were Erwin, Allen, Williams and Gambrel.
HHS (13-6, 8-3) scored its first run in the second inning with Watson crossing home plate on a single by Corey Walker.
The Indians tied the game in the third with three runs.
Aric Carroll began with a the inning by being belted with a fastball, allowing him to jog to first base. Steagall forced a walk in the following at-bat. After two outs were recorded Logan Wilson was the second HHS batter to be belted by a pitch in the inning. Watson then smacked a base hit and Patrick Garman followed with a four-pitch walk. Walker also forced a base on balls, allowing runs to score and the game be tied at four.
Tyler Greigo gained the win for HHS and Airic Steagall pitched the final three inning of relief for the save. Steagall struck out five of the final seven batters he faced. Greigo went four innings, gaining two strikeouts. He allowed five hits, one walk and four runs (three earned).
"Tyler did what we asked of him, and he didn't do too bad," Swackhamer said. "(Airic) Steagall came in and shut the door in relief.
"The biggest thing for us right now is pitching. We are looking for our pitching to lead us through the tournament."
To sum up the game and the season up to this point, HHS assistant coach Chuck Coleman said, "Act like you have been there before."
The wins lifts HHS to 13-6 overall, with an SCOL record of 8-3. The Indians are scheduled to host the Washington Blue Lions Friday at 5 p.m. in their final SCOL game of the season.
BOX SCORE
FHS 103 000 0 - 4
HHS 013 303 x - 10
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