Jamestown defeats Prairie Home in district opener

Jamestown first-baseman Andy Thompson (15) stretches to snag a throw from Evan Knierim (14) in the fifth inning of the district game against Prairie Home Friday at New Franklin.
Jamestown first-baseman Andy Thompson (15) stretches to snag a throw from Evan Knierim (14) in the fifth inning of the district game against Prairie Home Friday at New Franklin.

Jamestown faced Prairie Home in the first round of the Class 1 District 10 Baseball Tournament Friday at New Franklin, where the fourth-seeded Eagles defeated the fifth-seeded Panthers 4-3.

After an even 1-1 first inning, the next three innings were scoreless. Prairie Home added one run in the fifth inning to lead 2-1, however, Jamestown answered with a three-run sixth inning to lead 4-2. The Panthers came up with only one run in the seventh, leaving the win with Jamestown, 4-3.

"Prairie Home's Klay Holliday pitched really well and held our guys in check," Jamestown Coach Jordan Hoecker said. "Our pitchers did well for us, so we didn't need so much offense. I'm glad we came out in the sixth inning and played well. Prairie Home played really well."

Alex Gerlach pitched five innings for Jamestown and recorded six strikeouts. Colton DeVore pitched the final two innings and recorded five strikeouts.

Ethan Hunziker led Jamestown hits with three and had two RBI. Christian DeVore had one hit and one RBI, and Wyatt Hunziker and Alex Gerlach each contributed one hit.

Jamestown faced top-seeded New Franklin Monday night in the semifinal round, where the Eagles suffered a 14-1 loss to end the season.

In the other semifinal game, second-seeded Pilot Grove lost 1-0 to third-seeded Calvary Lutheran.

New Franklin will play Pilot Grove at 6 p.m. today (Wednesday) for the district championship.