Cyclones walk off with victory over Saukees after scoring twice in seventh of regional title game

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — The start was nearly perfect. The ending proved imperfect.

After Pittsfield senior first baseman Brennan Tomhave launched a one-out home run to center field in the top of the first inning Saturday, Saukees right-hander Konner Allen retired Sacred Heart-Griffin without trouble in the bottom of the frame.

However, the lead didn’t last. Neither did the Saukees’ seventh-inning edge.

A four-run sixth inning gave the Saukees a one-run lead in the Class 2A Pittsfield Regional championship heading to the bottom of the seventh, but the Cyclones’ first four batters reached safely, leading to two runs and a 6-5 walk-off victory.

Pittsfield ends its season with a 21-8 record.

Trailing 3-1 going to the sixth, Pittsfield mounted a rally. Lane Foster walked leading off and Luek Saxe was hit by a pitch, and one out later, Justin Pennock singled to load the bases. Allen’s sacrifice fly brought home one run, and after Hayden Gratton walked, Tim Hull singled to drive in two runs. Gratton scored on a passed ball for the fourth run of the inning.

SHG scratched across a run in the bottom of the sixth to pull within 5-4, and in the seventh, the Cyclones greeted Pennock out of the bullpen with a single, a walk and a hit batter to load the bases. A ground ball up the middle by Grant Luttrell drove in two runs to win it.

Tomhave finished with two of Pittsfield’s four hits. Allen struck out four and allowed nine hits and three walks over six innings.