The Cougars got a masterfull pitching performance from Luke Krajefska and withstood a late charge from Edwards County to claim the Regional Championship at Wayne City.

 

The Cougars took an early lead by scoring three runs in their first at-bat, then scored another in the third to make it 4-0.

 

In the first, Colby Bushue started the game with a single and a stolen base before Fischer Tharp singled to plate the first run.

 

Cole Armstrong bounced into a fielder's choice then promptly stole second and third. Colton Wilkins walked to put runners at first and third and when a wild pitch hit the backstop, Armstrong crossed the plate for the second run and Wilkins moved to second.

 

After Heath Hoffmann singled to move Wilkins to third, a successful pick-off play erased Wilkins before Larry Schoreck walked to put Hoffmann in scoring position.

 

Luke Krajefska plated the third run with an RBI single before Bret Pitts popped out to short to end the inning.

 

The Lions threatened in the second when they loaded the bases with two outs, but a sharply hit ball to short was handled by Armstrong to end it.

 

In the third, the Cougars got back-to-back singles from Armstrong and Wikins to start the inning and after Hoffmann bounced into a fielder's choice, runners were at first and third. Schoreck plated the final run with a long sacrifice fly to center to score Armstrong.

 

In the meantime, Krajefska was mowing down the Lions as he registered 5 strikeouts in the 3rd and 4thinnings, but things changed in the fifth when Edwards County got to within one by scoring 3 runs with two outs.

 

The momentum had now changed and the Cougar offense couldn't seem to get anything going.

 

With a one run lead heading into Edwards County's last at-bat, things got interesting. After a lead-off single to start the inning, the Lions laid down a successful sacrifice bunt and as the throw was made for the out, the runner from first continued on to third.

 

Tharp was late getting back to the bag, but the throw from Wilkins was just in time to nail the runner with a controversial bang-bang play in a cloud of dust.

 

Now with two outs and nobody on, the Lions scorched another base hit past Tharp at third and the tying run was on again. But Krajefska quickly set down the Lions number four hitter on three consecutive curveballs to close it out.

 

Krajefska finished the complete-game performance allowing 3 runs on 9 hits, 2 walks, and 12 big strikeouts.

 

The Cougars now advance to the Effingham St. Anthony Sectional and will play Windsor on Wednesday night at 6:30 PM.