Sioux City Heelan defeated ADM 5-3 Tuesday night at Principal Park to advance to the Class 3A semifinals. Tyler Stolen hurled a complete game, surrendering three runs on seven hits and striking out eight to improve to 9-0 and lead the Crusaders to victory. The Tigers’ Alec Rash fanned eight Crusaders on the evening, but allowed five runs on five hits and suffered the loss. The Tigers outhit the Crusaders 9-6.
The Crusaders jumped out to an early lead, taking advantage of a Tony Myers walk to lead off the game. Myers had thievery on his mind and swiped second to set up a Paul Jacobson RBI single for Heelan’s first run. Despite surrendering a run, Alec Rash struck out the side in the frame.
Rash wasted no time helping his own cause. The Phillies’ second round draft pick’s rope to left plated Lucas Thompson--who started the ADM offense with a one-out single--to knot the score at one.
The Tigers broke the tie in the third after stringing together three straight singles and a sacrifice bunt. Grant Goeden sparked the rally with a liner to left. Lucas Thompson followed suit, moving Goeden into scoring position for Dylan Nelson. The first baseman ripped a single to right to score Goeden. Tyler Spencer dropped down a perfectly placed bunt to bring home Thompson and extend their lead to 3-1. Tyler Stolen walked his counterpart Rash to load the bases, but did not allow another run to score in the inning.
The Crusaders stormed back in the fourth to retake the lead. Tyler Cropley ignited the rally with a single to lead off the frame. Kyle Heaton walked with two down in the inning. Kale Provst then rocked a two-run double to the wall in left. Niles took a free pass and stole second, putting two in scoring position for Myers. The centerfielder ripped an RBI single to put Heelan up 4-3.
ADM responded with a two out rally in the bottom of the frame. Goeden and Thompson knocked their second and third hits of the game, respectively, to put runner on the corners. The Tigers could not cash in though, stranding two more.
Heelan added an insurance run in the fifth. Trenton Solsma recorded his first RBI of the on a sacrifice fly to centerfield that score Paul Jacobson.
Sioux City Journal: Heelan hangs on for late victory
Omaha World-Herald: Heelan rallies to win
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