The Russellville High School varsity baseball team faced #3 seeded Linn in the championship game of the Class 2 District 8 Tournament May 15 at New Bloomfield, where the top-seeded Indians defeated the Wildcats 10-4 to capture the district title.
Russellville got off to an early 4-0 lead after the first inning, then added two runs in the second to lead 6-0. Another three runs in the third had the Indians on top 9-1 going into the fourth inning. Linn scored three runs n the fouth to trail 9-4. Russellville added one run in the fifth to lead 10-4. With the last two innings scoreless for both teams, the Indians came away with a victory and the district title.
Chandler Wolf recorded the win with nine strikeouts.
Kaleb Libbert led Russellville hits with three and four RBI. Nick Haslag followed with two hits and three RBI. Wolf had one hit and two RBI, and Clayton Harrison chipped in with two hits.
The Indians (15-7) were originally scheduled to play Harrisburg at Class 2 Sectionals Monday night at Harrisburg, however, the game was rescheduled due to weather for Tuesday, May 21. (Game results were not available at press time.)
Previously at the district tourney, Russellville faced #4 seeded New Bloomfield May 14 in the semifinal round, where the Indians captured a 5-1 win.
Libbert recorded the win with six strikeouts. Wolf led Russellville hits with two. Libbert had one hit and two RBI, while Caleb Harrison and Tanner Morrow chipped in with a hit each and one RBI each.
"The kids did what they needed to do to keep our season going," Russellville Coach Lucas Branson said. "Kaleb pitched well to get us into the seventh inning, and kept New Bloomfield off balace. We put some good at-bats together in the fifth inning to get us the lead that allowed us to take a deep breath and close it out."