Hastings Claims The A7 Title Over GI Home Federal

(North Platte, NE) - The A7 seniors district tournament came to a close on Tuesday night at Bill Wood Field as Hastings defeated Grand Island Home Federal twice to claim the championship. Hastings won game one by a final score of 11-3. In game two, Grand Island would fall by a final score of 5-4. 

In game one, Grand Island would trail early 4-0. In the top of the third, Hastings would add two more runs to make it 6-0, but Grand Island would answer with two runs to cut the deficit to 6-2. Hastings wasn't done just yet, adding three more runs in the top of the fourth and two more in the top of the 6th. Grand Island would scratch one across in the bottom of the fourth. Grand Island would get three hits in the game from Gavin Ruether to lead the way. 

In game two, Grand Island would get an early 1-0 lead on an Ian Arends sacrifice fly to bring in a runner from third base. Hastings would then come back in the bottom of the second inning and get two runs to take the lead for good. Hastings would then make it a 4-1 game with two more coming around in the bottom of the fourth inning. GI would find themselves down only a run after the top of the fifth, getting two runs around to trail 4-3, but that would be short-lived as Hastings would get an insurance run in the bottom of the frame. Grand Island would trail 5-3 going to the top of the 7th inning. A bases-loaded walk would score a run, giving Hastings a 5-4 lead with just one out. GI would then suffer back-to-back strikeouts from Hastings pitcher Landon Hinrichs to end the game with the bases loaded. 

Hastings with the two wins is the offical Area 7 champion. With Grand Island finishing as the A7 runner up. With Grand Island hosting three teams from A7 advance to the overall state tournament field. The National Division in Grand Island will see GI Home Federal take on Kearney for the 6th time on Saturday night at Ryder Park. Hastings will head to the American Division tournament at Papillion LaVista South starting on Saturday, July 26th. 

The official release of the brackets is to be announced. Listen to all GI Home Federal state tournament games on KRGI 1430/105.5 & krgi.com