Portage slams Hanover

PORTAGE — Andrew Brown got some great advice Friday from his Portage teammate Sam Puchalski — just relax and don’t try so hard at the plate. Brown took the advice to heart, and it paid off with a grand slam to lead Portage to a 15-6 win over Hanover Central.

“Sam came up to me as I was approaching the plate and said to relax,” Brown said. “I went to bat and got a good look at the first pitch and got a hold of it — sometimes good things happen.”

The bats came alive for Portage, with Brown leading the charge at 2-for-3 with five RBI. Gabe Acevedo drove in three runs, and Mike Brunner, Tony Cheky and Nate Ramian each added two to lead the barrage.

Portage got on the board with two runs in the first and Hanover answered in the third with two runs to tie the game. Portage (20-7) added another run in the bottom of the third to take a 3-2 lead. The Indians took advantage of some shaky pitching as Hanover loaded the bases for Brown. Brown stepped in and took the first pitch deep over the left-field fence for the grand slam. Portage added five more runs in the inning to open things up to a 12-2 lead going into the fifth inning.

Hanover Central tallied three runs in the fifth to cut the lead to 12-5. Hanover never gave up, adding one more run in the sixth, but Portage answered by notching three more runs in the sixth.

“This was a big win for us, being senior night and getting our 20th win of the season,” said Portage coach Tim Pirowski. “We were able to play a lot of people and got some good hitting from many different players as we approach next weeks sectionals,”

Hanover Central (15-5) didn’t throw either of its top three pitchers with key games looming.

“We are getting ready for the PCC tourney semifinal and the upcoming sectionals and turned to three freshmen to pitch tonight that got some valuable experience for the future,” said Hanover Central coach Doug Nelson. “I am pleased with the don’t-quit attitude our kids showed tonight and all season long. They play hard every game until the end.”

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