Seniors split one-run games against Millard

June 24--COLUMBUS -- The Columbus Cornerstone Insurance Group Seniors shored up a few areas of concern Thursday in a tightly contested doubleheader against the Millard Black Sox at Pawnee Park Field.

Those concerns were pitching depth and consistent hitting.

Columbus produced a total of 22 hits over the two games, with 16 of them coming during an 8-7 extra-inning victory in Game 1. The Seniors had six hits in a 6-5 loss in Game 2.

"We had a few guys that had a good day at the plate -- Hayden (Jacobsen) and Hunter (Schilling). They really helped us out a lot," Seniors head coach Cody Schilling said. "Hayden did a really good job of putting the ball in play. It was a really good performance for him."

Jacobsen went 4 for 5 at the plate in Game 1 with four RBIs on four singles at the bottom of the lineup. He was 1 for 3 in the nightcap, reaching base twice.

"He's doing a really good job in that position of the lineup. It's a great boost before we get to the top of the order," coach Schilling said.

Hunter Schilling also had a 4-for-5 game with a double and three singles to go along with one RBI. Andrew Altstadt collected two RBIs while going 3 for 5 at the plate.

"I thought we hit the ball pretty well. Still not clean, but it is what it is," coach Schilling said. "We keep on improving and getting better, so that's a positive."

Columbus used four pitchers over 17 innings in the two games, with Logan Mueller and Alex Uhlig getting starts.

"With nine-inning games in the postseason, we need to have as many pitchers ready to go as we can," coach Schilling said. "I think we're doing a good job of getting a lot of arms some experience."

Mueller started Game 1, allowing seven hits and six runs while striking out four batters over six innings to get the win.

Jacob Morse gave up five hits, but allowed only one run, while striking out seven in four innings of relief work.

In Game 2, Uhlig gave up only three hits and one walk in five innings on the mound, but three defensive errors played a large part in the three runs he surrendered.

Altstadt took the mound in the sixth inning with a 4-3 lead, but couldn't seal the deal after starting with a 1-2-3 frame. The Columbus High catcher last season gave up three runs on two hits, two walks and a sacrifice fly to end the game.

Columbus fell behind 3-1 after the first three innings, then took the lead 4-3 after a three-run fifth inning.

The Seniors added another run in the top of the seventh without recording a hit as they drew two walks and had one batter hit by a pitch.

Millard came back for the walk-off win in the bottom of the inning.

The Seniors (9-14) host North Platte for a doubleheader at 2 and 4:30 p.m. Sunday.

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