By John Rittenhouse
A 2-17 amateur baseball season came to an end for the Hills Thunder during the second round of the Gopher League Playoffs Wednesday, July 18, in Pipestone.
Twenty-four hours after losing to Wilmont (6-1) to open the tournament, Hills was in a must-win situation when it met Hadley during the double-elimination event.
The Buttermakers, however, scored eight runs in the first two innings and went on to best the Thunder 14-6 while ending Hills' campaign.
Hills did climb to within four runs (8-4) of Hadley after a rough start, but the Buttermakers scored six more runs in the third through sixth innings to win handily.
Playing as the home team, Hadley got off to a good start by scoring four runs in the first and second innings before Hills countered with a four-run top of the third to make it an 8-4 game.
Derek Sammons singled and scored the first run of the third inning when Adam Hansen doubled for the Thunder.
Hansen scored on Cade Lang's fielderÕs choice, and Eric Harnack and Justin Van Maanen singled home runs to complete the rally.
As quickly as Hills got back into the game with four runs in the top of the third, Hadley was equally quick in putting the contest away.
The Buttermakers scored two runs in the bottom of the third, one in the fourth and three in the fifth to increase their lead to 14-4.
Hills avoided getting beat by the 10-run rule by scoring single runs in the sixth and seventh innings.
Wade Jellema walked and scored on Jarud Lang's RBI single in the sixth. Hansen was hit by a pitch and scored the gameÕs final run on a throwing error in the seventh.
Hansen pitched the first four innings and took the loss for Hills. He fanned one batter. Chris Putnam pitched the final four innings and registered three strikeouts.
Harnack and Van Maanen led the Thunder at the plate by going three-for-five.