Cavaliers top Hebron, end title drought

Updated: May 31, 2011 10:39PM

BOONE GROVE — The 25-year drought of sectional titles came to an end for Culver Community Tuesday as the Cavaliers defeated Hebron 6-2 to capture the sectional title for the first time since 1986.

“We re-focused ourselves as a team and our seniors stepped up and took charge of the team setting the goal of winning the title and I am very proud of their effort and the accomplishment,” said Culver coach Mike Elliott.

Hebron battled throughout the game having several opportunities to score, but Culver just seemed to come up with the plays when it needed to stopping each of Hebron’s offensive attacks. Hebron had a setback in the loss of starting shortstop and No. 3 hitter Alex Anderson, who spent the day in the hospital overcoming heat exhaustion from playing the day before.

Hebron threatened in the top of the first with a man at third. A ground ball hit to the third baseman was fielded and a perfect throw to the plate prevented Hebron from scoring.

Culver got on the scoreboard in the top of the second with a run only to lose the lead in the bottom of the third when Hebron got back-to-back run-scoring singles from Cody Hayes and Kyle Joyce.

Culver came right back in the top half of the fourth inning to score two runs and followed with three runs in the fifth to finish its scoring for the night.

Hebron had its chances in the fourth with bases loaded, but could not score and in the fifth with two men in scoring position, but Culver came up with the plays to prevent any runs from scoring.

“Give them credit, they made the plays when they needed to and we just couldn’t adjust our hitters at the plate creating ground ball opportunities of which again, they made the plays,” said Hebron coach John Steinhilber.

Hebron got a solid batting performance by Kyle Hernandez, who was 4-for-4 at the plate.

“Our kids watched Culver receive the sectional trophy and though it was tough,” Steinhiber said, “with the loss of only one senior and everyone coming back they will hopefully use that as motivation for next season.”

Culver Community advances to the Jimtown regional to face the winner of the Garrett sectional winner in the first game on Saturday morning.

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