Phoenix staff report
—
BERRYHILL — It was tight, just like the last outing, and it may not be the final time either.
In a rematch of last year’s Class 4A championship game, Berryhill took advantage of a Hilldale miscue to go in front and held on for a 6-5 win over the Hornets.
In the first Okrankings coaches poll, released on Tuesday, Berryhill was atop the poll, Hilldale was third.
Miles Jackson led the game off with a home run in a 3-for-4 game, but an error on a groundball single in the fourth led to three Chief runs with runners at the corner and two outs.
“That hurt and it’s not like him but I think we showed that in spite of some graduation losses that we’re going to be right there and I think we’ve got the respect of the coaches (in the first poll),” he said.
Devin Riede pitched into the fourth and was relieved by Derek Altman. Up 4-2 in the top of the fourth, Hunter Harrison just missed a three-run home run that was ruled a foul ball down the left field line
The three-run error gave Berryhill the lead, which it increased to 6-4. Colby Mullens drove in a run in the seventh, but that was all the Hornets could muster against Nick White.
“It was our No. 2 vs. their No. 2 at their place and I think we showed we’re still going to be around,” Riddle said.
Hilldale (1-1) goes to Wagoner on Thursday and Miami on Friday.
