May 10—The Washington Hatchets dropped a near three-hour game in a conference marathon on Tuesday, 7-4 at the Sports Complex.

Most of the scoring was early as both teams posted six hits each, but WHS (6-14) was hurt by four errors, several wild pitches and pass balls. Freshman Alton Ostby picked up the loss, but struck out six in three innings, while Jarit Williams had five Ks in four innings of relief, as the game featured nearly 300 total pitches between both teams.

South Spencer was able to open with a 2-0 lead, as a pair of hit batsmen and two wild pitches led to two runs without a hit.

Ostby was hurt by an error in the top of the second, and in spite of striking out two hitters, the Rebels were able to extend it to 4-0 and forced Ostby to throw 52 pitches in the first two innings.

Ostby and Braxton Nathan led off the second with a pair of hits and a balk was called on Beau Heck allowing WHS to pick up its first run. Will Merold then hit a triple in the gap scoring two more. Trey James then singled in Merold and WHS tied the game at 4-4.

South Spencer plated two additional runs as an error turned the third out into two runs and a 6-4 lead.

Ole Kroeger opened the third with a hit and ended up on third after a pass ball but was unable to score.

Williams replaced Ostby in the top of the fourth he gave up one run but was helped by a double play to limit it to 7-4.

Williams picked up the first 1-2-3 inning of the game in the top of the fifth with a pair of strikeouts.

South Spencer made a pitching change, as Heck left the game with right around 90 pitches and brought in Noah Bunner, retired three of the four hitters he faced. Williams responded with two more strikeouts and a second straight 1-2-3 innings. Williams got into a little trouble with walks in the top of the seventh, but did not give up any runs. Unfortunately, Bunner was able to bear down to come out with with save and give the Rebels just their second win of the season

WHS will host the Tom Miles Memorial on Saturday at 10 a.m.