Two runs win it for host Vikings

GENEVA -- It was a nail-biter to the very last out Saturday during Class 4A Geneva Regional baseball action here at the Geneva High School field.

With the bases loaded, two out and 1-1 count in the top of the seventh-inning, Geneva starter Rodney Nelson gave Bartlett's No. 9 batter George Tintera something to swing at and put in play. As the Vikings' faithful sat on the edge of their seats, second baseman Tyler Baert scooped up the ball and tossed it to Corey Hofstetter for the final out, a 2-1 victory and most importantly a regional title.

"I was hoping for a 1-2-3 inning," said Vikings' coach Matt Hahn of his squad's slim lead.

The inning started out according to plan, as Nelson recorded his eighth strike out. But then back-to-back singles by Mike Selvaggi and Alex Van Ness put the game within reach for the Hawks. Another out and then Kyle Burden walked to load the bases.

"I've been in that situation before many times," said the senior hurler. "I am usually pretty erratic on the mound, but today my control was good...I wasn't too worried, but there were still a lot of nerves."

Geneva scored its first run in the bottom of the third to tie the game at one, when Nelson clubbed a double and his pinch runner, Brian Cornick, scored on a wild pitch.

With the pitching and defensive battle dragging on into the late innings, Hahn recalled telling his assistants in the top of the sixth, "two is going to win it."

And he was right.

In the bottom of the sixth, with two down, Hofstetter was able to keep the inning alive when his grounder to Hawks' second baseman Tucker Erickson was bobbled. Running for Hofstetter, Matt Kramer proceeded to steal second and score on a single to right by designated hitter A.J. Sarantopulas.

Baseball: Class 4A Geneva Regional