Trojans split doubleheader with Hoisington
Sports reporter
After wining just six games the past two seasons, it's tough to feel like you belong with the rest of the teams in the league.
But after splitting a doubleheader with Hoisington March 31, the Hillsboro High School baseball team was one-third of the way toward its win total the season before.
"The kids are having some fun," head coach Phil Oelke said. "I think they are going to start playing some good baseball."
Their only problem recently was running into 4A powerhouse Lyons April 4 in a home doubleheader.
The 2004 state champs defeated the Trojans 10-2 and 8-0 en route to the sweep. The losses dropped Hillsboro to 1-3.
"We were flat in both games," Oelke said. "They started to question themselves."
It's hard not to do that when playing a team like the Lions, but the Trojans were right there until the end.
Game one was only 3-2 in favor of the Lions in the sixth inning before the former champs broke it open. They also turned a 3-0 third-inning lead in game two, into the eight-run defeat.
"We have guys close to breaking out at the plate," Oelke said. "But most of them are still not seeing the ball well, which is common at the beginning of the season."
Daniel Jost led the Trojans in game with two hits and an RBI, and Aaron Stepanek knocked in the other Trojan run. Travis Riesen was 2-3 with a double and a run scored.
Chad Hughbanks took the loss on the mound going, surrendering three runs in five innings.
"[Lyons'] pitching was solid," Oelke said.
But he also was impressed with his players on the mound.
Troy Frick and Daniel Berg combined to pitch five innings in the second game, giving up just two runs. Three other pitchers gave up the other six runs.
"Pitching was our strong point," he said. "It may not have looked like it, but it was much better than the Hoisington games."
Hillsboro managed just four singles in the second game, and now stands at 1-3 on the season.
Oelke is trying to stay concentrated on winning, and staying realistic at the same time.
"I'm not going to go out and say everyone is going to hit over .400," Oelke said.
But he does think his players' attitudes are heading in the right direction.
"We've got a couple of kids who are building some leadership roles," he said.
Oelke thinks that is the first step to competing in a league that seems to be wide open right now.
"I told them I want to win 10 games before regionals," he said. "And I think that is an attainable goal."
