ORCHARD – For the second time this season, Hartington legion baseball is heading to the Class C State Tournament, this time in seniors action as they defeated Ponca 11-1 in the Area One District Championship yesterday.
The loss ends Ponca’s season with a 13-11 record.
Hartington got on the board firstt in the top of the first after Koby Detlefsen grounded out, and Grady Haberer doubled down the left field line, each scoring one run.
Hartington extended their early lead with three runs in the top of the third thanks to RBI singles by Detlefsen and Haberer.
Hartington would continue to hold command with three more runs in both the fourth and fifth innings before Pocna scored their lone run in the bottom of the fifth on a Kyan Byrne single.
Detlefsen earned the win for Hartington on the pitcher’s mound, allowing one run on five hits with a walk and a strikeout over five innings of work.
Nolan Janssen led things off on the hill for Ponca, surrendering eight runs (six earned) on six hits with four walks and two strikeouts in 3.1 innings.
Hartington amassed 12 hits in the game with Detlefsen, Haberer, Breiton Whitmire and Dylan Taylor each having two of them while Detlefsen also collected four RBIs.
Whitmire, Taylor and Maverick Heine each stole multiple bases for Hartington as well.
Byrne, Jace Wahls, Tucker McGill, Trystan Bevelhymer and Austin Dendinger each collect a hits for Ponca.
Hartington will open the Class C State Tournament against Tecumseh on Saturday in Sutton. Game time is yet to be set.