By John RittenhouseThe slumping Hills Thunder couldn’t snap what has grown into an eight-game losing skid in amateur baseball play.Hills dropped a six-run decision in Pipestone Wednesday, June 18, before losing a five-run game to Wilmont in Hills Sunday.The 2-10 Thunder play in Butterfield (at noon) and in Jackson (7:30 p.m.) Sunday.Wilmont 8, Hills 3The Thunder let a one-run lead slip away during Sunday’s home game with Wilmont.Although Hills was limited to a pair of hits in the game, the hosts managed to score three early runs to take a 3-2 advantage after Wilmont plated single runs in the first and the second frames to open the scoring.Hills cut Wilmont’s lead in half (2-1) when Jarud Lang walked and scored on a bases-loaded walk, drawn by Chad Rauk in the bottom of the third.The Thunder scored twice in the fourth inning to gain a 3-2 edge.Jarud Lang reached base on a fielder’s choice before Cade Lang walked to set the table for Eric Harnack, who delivered a two-run single to give the hosts their lead.Wilmont, however, outscored Hills 6-0 the rest of the way.The visitors plated five runs in the top of the fifth inning to gain a 7-3 cushion before capping the scoring with a single run in the sixth.Jarud Lang pitched all seven innings for Hills. He fanned five batters while allowing 11 hits and four walks during a losing effort.Box score AB R H BIJ.Lang 1 2 0 0E.Harnack 3 0 1 2S.Harnack 3 0 0 0Sammons 3 0 0 0Top 0 0 0 0Funke 1 0 0 0Van Maanen 2 0 0 0Jellema 1 0 1 0C.Lang 2 1 0 0Rauk 2 0 0 1Forshey 0 0 0 0C.Harnack 2 0 0 0Krenz 0 0 0 0Pipestone 10, Hills 4A 7-1 surge by the A’s late in the game led to a six-run setback for Hills June 18 in Pipestone.The Thunder led 1-0 early and the score was tied at three after four and one-half innings of play, but Pipestone outscored Hills 7-1 the rest of the way to nail down a victory.Hills opened the scoring in the top of the first when Cade Lang walked before scoring on a fielder’s choice by Eric Harnack.Pipestone moved in front 2-1 by scoring twice in the bottom of the second, but Hills tied the game in the third when Scott Harnack singled before scoring on Chris Harnack’s single.The A’s regained the lead at 3-2 in the fourth only to have Hills tie the game at three in the top of the fifth.Scott Harnack walked and scored on a single from Rauk to create a deadlock at three.Pipestone moved in front to stay when it plated three runs in the bottom of the fifth to open a 6-3 cushion.Wade Jellema reached base on an error and scored on Cade Lang’s fielder’s choice in the sixth to make it a 6-4 game before the A’s put the game away with a four-run eighth inning.Rauk tossed all eight innings and took the loss for Hills. He surrendered 12 hits and five walks and recorded five strikeouts.Chris Harnack led the Thunder at the plate with a three-hit game.Rauk, Jellema and Scott Harnack added two hits each.Box score AB R H BIJ.Lang 4 0 1 0E.Harnack 3 0 0 1S.Harnack 4 2 2 0Sammons 3 0 0 0Top 3 0 0 0Funke 0 0 0 0Van Maanen 0 0 0 0Jellema 4 1 2 0C.Lang 3 1 0 1Rauk 4 0 2 1Forshey 0 0 0 0C.Harnack 5 0 3 1Krenz 0 0 0 0
