Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn broke an early 5-5 tie with two runs in the third inning and went on to defeat Trinity Christian 9-6 June 26 at Hartley. The win was the Hawks’ first in War Eagle Conference play this year and their third overall.
Things didn’t start well for HMS as the Tigers scored four times in the first inning. The home team answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning. Trinity put another run on the board in the second but the Hawks came right back with three runs to knot the score.

HMS gave itself some breathing room with two runs in the fifth. The Tigers’ last at bat started with a double but second baseman Grant Kunzman caught a line drive and then beat the runner to the bag for an unassisted double play. Errors then allowed Trinity to score a run. A walk and another error loaded the bases. With the go-ahead run at the plate, Dominic Tripp, the second relief pitcher used by the Hawks, got a strikeout to end the game.
HMS collected a season-high 13 hits. Jacob Cates’ 3-for-4 night included a double, three RBI’s and three runs scored. Jack Mastbergen singled, hit a pair of doubles, scored two runs and knocked two in. Lawton Schiphoff contributed a single, a double and two runs batted in.
Kunzman had a hit and an RBI and scored a run. Brody Meendering notched a single and scored a run. Blake Meendering, Aiden Bush and Caden Douma each had a hit. Courtesy runner Aidan Espeland scored a pair of runs.
The Hawks were able to win despite committing eight errors. Starting pitcher Douma got the victory. He tossed 4-2/3 innings, allowing five runs on two hits. Two of the runs were earned. Douma registered four K’s, walked three batters and hit one. Hunter Daggett came on with two outs in the fifth inning. He yielded an unearned run on three hits and three walks before giving way to Tripp who faced only the one batter.
Trinity 4 1 0 0 0 0 1 – 6
HMS 2 3 2 0 2 0 0 – 9