MALCOLM – Hartington’s bats came alive in their second game of the Class C State Tournament yesterday, racing out to a 12-2 lead after the second inning and cruising to a 16-5 run-rule victory over Loomis.

Hunter Bensen had one of those hot bats for Hartington, homering to center in the first to drive in three runs while a double in the second scored another in a 3-for-4 effort at the plate.

Loomis would open the game in teh first with a Banks Hammond double that scored two runs.

After Bensen’s homer in the first, Hartington would add another run that inning when Micah Cattau drew a walk to make it a 4-2 contest.

Hartington would procede to score eight runs on five hits in the bottom of the second. Outside of Bensen’s double, Tate Fischer doubled to score a run before coming back in the inning with a two-RBI single; Easton Hochstein singled to score two runs; Cattau’s sac fly scored a run; and Gavin Klug produced an RBI via a groundout.

Loomis would cut into the deficit in the top of the third with a two-run homer by Graham Trompke, but could not get any closer.

Hartington tacked onto their lead in the bottom of the third thanks to a Klug single that scored a run and a Fischer double that scored two.

Fischer started the game for Hartington on the bump, scattering four runs on four hits with two walks and a strikeout over three innings pitched. Outside of the batter’s box, Bensen also struck out two batters in a relief appearance on the mound.

Jaron Schukar opened the game for Lommis, surrendering seven runs on four hits with three walks and three strikeouts in just one inning of work.

Hartington piled up 10 hits on the day, with Bensen and Fischer each collecing three hits on a combined 6-for-7 effort (Bensen 3-for-4, Fischer 3-for-3).

Hartington was also patient at the plate, collecting nine walks on the day, with Sam Wiebelhaus and Hudson Whitmire leading the way with two free passes.

Cattau, Hochstein, Whitmire and Puppe each stole multiple bases as the team swiped 15 bags on the day.

Hartington returns to the diamond for another winner’s bracket game as the quare off with three-time defending champion Malcolm at 7.