GATES MILLS — Kirtland’s bats came to life and Hillsdale’s gloves went into hibernation.
The second-seeded Hornets erupted for 11 runs in the home half of the sixth, rallying for a 12-4 win over the seventh-seeded Falcons in a Division VI district championship game at Gilmour Academy’s Figgie Field.
Kirtland managed just three hits off Hillsdale starter Aiden Hoffman through the first five innings and trailed 4-1 going to the bottom of the sixth. The Hornets had seven hits in the fateful sixth and took advantage of five Hillsdale errors.
Kirtland sent 15 men to the plate in the sixth. The first seven batters reached base before the Falcons recorded an out.
Hoffman was the hard-luck loser. The junior right-hander gave up just one earned run while striking out three and walking one in 5.1 innings of work.
Hoffman, Kael Lewis and Deacon Boreman each had two hits for the Falcons (15-10). Brady Heller doubled and knocked in a run.
Tyler Turk and Casey Carkhuff had two hits apiece for Kirtland. Carkhuff doubled and drove in a pair of runs.
