The Spring Hill bats came alive at just the right time Saturday. The Chargers qualified for the state tournament with some timely hits in the 5-3 win over Elrosa in its first game, then hammered out 13 hits in the 13-2 win over Lake Henry in its second. The team had struggled for hits a little in the final game of the regular season and the playoff weekend.  This weekend was a different story, but the team didn’t really do anything all that different.

“We’ve been hitting all year, not clutch hits,” said manager Randy Schoenberg. “Our averages are good. We just never got the clutch hits before.  We are now getting some of them.”

In the win over Lake Henry, everybody on the team seemed to hit. Shawn Schoenberg had a three-run home run and Jamie Terres a solo home run. Eric Schoenberg was 4-for-4, driving in two runs.

“We just put the bat on the ball and things happen” Eric Schoenberg said. “If one guys doesn’t hit, another will. It’s a team effort.

Austin Schoenberg was the pivotal person in the Charger’s 5-3 win over Elrosa. He not only had a three-run double but he was the winning pitcher. Most of the game he kept the potent Elrosa bats under control. Eleven of the batters he faced were retired on fly balls or pop-ups. Another six grounded out.

“I was throwing strikes and using my defense,” he said. “I was working outside and keeping it (the ball) away for them.”

Clutch hits were the big difference. The Chargers took the lead for good with a four-run fifth inning rally. Spring Hill trailed 2-1 when Louie Opatz opened that inning with a double. After a walk to Corey Schoenberg and a single by Chris Spanier, Opatz scored on a fielder choice beating the throw to the plate.  Austin Schoenberg followed with a bases loaded double to give the Chargers’ their runs.

Elrosa rallied for two runs in the third inning on four hits. Cody Eichers and Kevin Kuefler had RBI singles that inning. The Saints didn’t have another hit until the ninth inning when Matt Middendorf singled off of relief pitcher Corey Schoenberg. That hit loaded the bases. Eichers had a sacrifice fly to push across the final run. Corey Schoenberg earned the save.

(Melrose Beacon)