Holdrege, Neb. – Scoring came at a premium during Sunday’s second elimination game in the Class B Senior State Tournament. Inspire Rehab was able to get three early runs and held on to defeat Auburn 3-2.
While there were a few moments of excitement at the plate, the defense took the spotlight. Holdrege was pleased to see their starting pitcher Lyndon Rodewald find his rhythm from the beginning. Rodewald retired the first 13 batters he faced en route to a complete game performance. The talented right-arm held Auburn to very few scoring chances thanks to a particularly efficient outing. Rodewald allowed only three baserunners all game, despite giving up a two-run home run in the fifth inning.
That mistake was one of very few committed by Inspire Rehab. They looked sharp and focused from start to finish. Right fielder Clay Bohr was a big part of the excitement especially late in the game. With one out in the top of the seventh, Auburn needed just one run to keep their chances alive. Jackson Warner hit a streaker to right. Bohr quickly closed in on the fly ball, but still needed a little more effort to make the catch. He dove to the grass and robbed Warner of a possible game-changing hit.
The Holdrege bats were hot early in the game. Landon Casey’s start on the mound would only last two innings after Holdrege jumped to a three-run lead off of four hits. Christian Gage relieved Casey at the start of the third. Gage kept Holdrege down the rest of the way allowing just one hit in his four innings.
Beau Jensen, Trey Weaver, Elijah Bergstrom, Bohr, and Weides each got a hit. Bohr and Bergstrom were joined by Josh Janssen as the three Holdrege players to cross home plate. Rodewald finished the complete game, one-hitter by retiring the final five Auburn batters. He ended the day with three strikeouts, one walk, and no earned runs.
Auburn’s season came to a close finishing as the B7 Area Champions. They ended the 2024 season with a 19-20 record.
Holdrege improved to 18-12. They’ll play again tomorrow at noon. KUVR’s broadcast will begin at 11:50 am. Inspire Rehab awaits the result of Central City and Norris.
