Hastings High took a never-say-die attitude into its final at bats to help the Tigers edge Kearney 7-6 in walk off fashion Tuesday. HHS bagged the win when freshman Ella Tinsman slapped a single, allowing MaKenzie Nollette to tally the winning run from third base. Tinsman’s game-winner came one inning after she barely missed hitting a home run to left field.
The hit cleared the fence but was called foul, much to the chagrin of the Tigers and their fans. Tinsman described the action of her single that secured the win. “I was really confident from when I fouled off that home run,” Tinsman said about her plate appearance that set up the Tigers’ rally to victory.
“I just thought, get a ball down and score a run.” Nollette scored the final run, hustling home from third base. She got on safely with a single.
Tiger coach Blake Marquardt said his team’s selfless attitudes helped spark the squad to three runs in the final inning and to win dramatic fashion. “It felt like we came together and had some team approaches and at bats. We were willing to walk, willing to work the count.
We were willing to play small ball and do what was necessary,” Marquardt said. The HHS win at the Smith Softball Complex improved the Tigers’ record to 22-7 and stretched their win streak to four. Kearney’s record fell to 17-14 and now carries the burden of four straight losses.
Hastings High is no stranger to the winning side of walk-off victories this season. “We’ve done it several.
