Braves Split Three Games, Walk Off Normal West in 13 Innings
The Mt. Zion Braves delivered one of their most dramatic wins of the season last Thursday night, edging Normal West 1-0 in 13 innings before splitting two contests Saturday against East Peoria and Champaign Central.
They opened the stretch with a marathon victory over Normal West as Kellen Bollhorst delivered the game-winning hit in the bottom of the 13th inning. With the score tied scoreless, Bollhorst ripped a double to drive home the lone run of the contest and send the Braves home winners in walk-off fashion.
The Braves’ pitching staff dominated throughout the extra-inning battle. Connor Fox started and tossed seven shutout innings, allowing just two hits while striking out 10 without issuing a walk. Peyton Delgado followed with five scoreless innings of relief, striking out six and surrendering only two hits. LJ Renfro picked up the win after a perfect 13th inning. They combined for 17 strikeouts in the shutout effort.
Bollhorst finished 2-for-5 with the game-winning RBI and also stole three bases as the Braves swiped six bags overall. Davis Venters and Evan Howley each drew two walks while Nolan Roney anchored a flawless defensive performance with a team-high 18 fielding chances.
The Braves carried the momentum into Saturday’s first game, rallying past East Peoria 6-5 in another tightly contested matchup.
East Peoria grabbed an early 2-0 lead in the second inning before Mt. Zion answered in the third. Connor Fox doubled to right field and Brock Foster followed with a two-run single to help the Braves move in front.
The Raiders tied the game twice, including at 5-5 in the fifth inning, but Mt. Zion responded in the bottom half when Landon Workman lifted a sacrifice fly to bring home the eventual winning run.
Fox paced the offense by going 2-for-3 with three RBIs, while Foster earned the win in relief after allowing just one run over two innings. The Braves showed patience at the plate throughout the game, drawing eight walks.
Mt. Zion was unable to complete the Saturday sweep, however, falling 8-2 to Champaign Central later in the day.
The Braves struck first in the second inning when Workman singled home a run, but Champaign Central erupted for seven runs in the third inning to take control. Ryan Pipkins delivered the key hit during the inning with a two-run single.
Workman, Fox and AJ Miller each recorded hits for Mt. Zion, while Workman and Venters drove in the team’s two runs. Venters also drew three walks as the Braves continued to show discipline at the plate.
Mt. Zion will open IHSA Class 3A regional play Wednesday as they host the Mahomet-Seymour Bulldogs.
