EAGLES LAND THE KNOCK OUT PUNCH
HUBBARD OH— Hubbard and Girard went toe-to-toe on Monday, but it was the Eagles who landed the final punch in an 8-6 win on their home turf.
Girard got out of the gate early. Zach Ward ripped an RBI double in the first, then added another run in the third off a fielder’s choice to make it 2-0. But Hubbard flipped the script quickly.
In the bottom of the third, Geno Leshnack came through with a clutch double to drive in two and tie the game. Jonny Adamson added another run with a grounder to give Hubbard a 3-2 edge.
Girard bounced right back in the fourth, taking advantage of an error and a Dominic Phillips single to go back up 4-3. But the Eagles weren’t rattled. Braydon Songer tied it with a knock in the fourth, then Hubbard exploded for four in the fifth behind hits from Logan Balla, Matthew Bobovnik, and Kyle Barr. That crooked number gave Hubbard all the breathing room it needed.
Gabe Rusnak got the win on the hill, gutting through five innings while giving up just two earned runs and striking out four. Songer slammed the door to grab the save, while Bobovnik chipped in with some late relief work.
Hubbard racked up nine hits on the day. Leshnack and Barr each picked up two knocks, with Leshnack driving in a pair. Songer made things happen on the bases too, swiping two bags as part of a six-steal day for the Eagles.
Girard worked the count well, drawing eight walks, but couldn’t string together enough late offense to reclaim the lead. Phillips had a solid day at the plate going 2-for-4, and Ward drove in two with his bat out of the cleanup spot. The two squads will run it back Tuesday in Girard to complete the NE8 series.
