HUBBARD EMBRACES UNDERDOG, STUNS POLAND

POLAND, OH- Hubbard won an epic slugfest over Poland, 11-10, as the seventh-seeded Eagles upset the No. 2 Bulldogs in Division II Sectional bracket final.

Hubbard led 4-0 before the Bulldogs rallied for a 5-4 lead in the third inning. The Eagles quickly responded with a five-run fourth, highlighted by Jimmy Palumbo’s three-run homer (one of three home runs in the game), to take 9-5 lead.

It didn’t last long. Poland scored four times in the bottom of the fourth, thanks in part to a three-run shot by Jeremy Castro, to knot the game at 9. Hubbard took the lead for good in the fifth, scoring a run on a Lukas Mosora single. The Eagles added to the lead with a homer by Evan Jarvis in the sixth, and the insurance run proved big when Poland pulled within 11-10.

Lukas Mosora earned the victory when he pitched the final 3 2/3 innings to earn the win, inducing a groundout from Poland’s Braeden O’Shaughnessy with a man on first to end the game.

Alex Barth was credited the loss, allowing five hits and two runs over three and two-thirds innings, striking out three.

Hubbard (17-12) advances to the district semifinal for the first time since 2010, with the Eagles playing Niles at 5 p.m. Monday at Cene Park.

*Contributions from Hubbard Hardball/Facebook