BRANDT – Miami East used a nine-run fourth inning to break open a close game and then held off a Bethel surge in a 12-8 win in Three Rivers Conference play on Monday.
Both teams plated two runs in the second before Bethel took a 3-2 lead with a run in the bottom of the third.
But the Vikings were not to be denied as they put together and offensive onslaught in the fourth, scoring nine runs to take a commanding 11-3 lead. The Bees managed to get back into the game with three runs in the fifth and two more in the sixth, but Miami East scored an insurance run in the seventh to end hope of a Bethel comeback.
Ethan Howell earned the win on the hill for Miami East, while Austin Francis picked up the save.
Miami East tallied 18 hits in the contest with Nathan Wooley, Layton Hughes (1 double) and Luke Hammaker all having three hits a piece. Gage Butz connected on a triple and a double, while Conor Apple (1 1double), Jacob Demmitt and Austin Francis all had two hits each.
The win improves Miami East’s record to 11-7 overall and 8-6 in the TRC.