Broken Bow, Neb. – The Inspire Rehab Seniors have set up a rematch with Central City after defeating Broken Bow 7-6 on Monday night. Holdrege used clutch hitting and a refocused defensive effort to erase a two-run deficit late in the game and advance to the B6 Area Tournament Championship.
The Broken Bow lineup featured an abundance of quality hitters who catapulted their team to an early lead, scoring all six runs in the first three innings. Coupled with a jittery start by the Holdrege fielders, Broken Bow was able to take an early lead. Leadoff batter Coy Wardyn reached on an infield error before Max Denson scorched a liner to right field. Denson’s double sent Wardyn home.
Holdrege was able to take their first lead of the game in the top of the second inning thanks to singles from Chance Bailey and Elijah Bergstrom. Clay Bohr got the first of his two RBIs with a hard grounder to right field that scored Bergstrom. On the same play, Trey Weaver kept his eyes on the action and was able to cross home on a well-timed move to the plate. He dove in just ahead of the tag from Broken Bow catcher Eli Coble. A sacrifice fly from Beau Jensen that scored Bohr followed by a Josh Janssen steal at second base that opened up the plate for Nick Weides gave Holdrege a 4-2 lead.
A couple more errors in the bottom of second erased that lead, however. Broken Bow scored three more runs to get on top once again. It looked like Bow might have Inspire Rehab’s number after scoring once more in the third and take a 6-4 lead, but the tide would soon turn. Landon Hartzog entered the game in relief of Lyndon Rodewald, and Holdrege was able to end the inning.
Hartzog came in at the right time for Inspire Rehab. He stopped the Broken Bow offense in their tracks, allowing only one baserunner to reach second base. Along with a rejuvenated Holdrege defensive, Hartzog shut down the potent offense. It was the second time in the tournament that a Holdrege reliever was able to enter the game and stop their opponent’s momentum. Nick Taylor was able to hold Central City at bay the night before. The strong effort gave his team a chance at a comeback that was a little too much to overcome, however.
Monday’s game was not the same. Down 6-4 and facing elimination, Holdrege shut out Broken Bow in the final four innings. They would also close the tie it up in the top of the sixth inning thanks to a two-run double from Josh Janssen. Inspire Rehab took the lead for good in the seventh when Trey Weaver hit a sac fly that scored JJ Bell. With a 7-6 lead in the bottom of the seventh, Holdrege finished off Broken Bow with a ground out.
Broken Bow finished their season with an 18-8 record. Holdrege improved to 17-10 and advanced to the B6 Area Championship game on Tuesday.
Inspire Rehab will face Central City on Tuesday at 5 pm. KUVR’s coverage begins at 4:50. It’s a chance for Holdrege to avenge an 11-9 loss on Sunday that saw Central City’s 11-1 lead nearly disappear. With Central City still unbeaten in the tournament, Holdrege will need to win twice to earn take the championship.
