The Lisbon offense got going early while the Lion’s pitching staff held the IMS offense down all night en route to an 8-0 shut out win in the second round of district play at Highland High School Thursday night. The #6 Lions jumped on IMS early cracking back to back home runs in the bottom of the first off of IMS starter Dallas Nye. Nye would also surrender a three run homer in the first to Lisbon catcher Hunter Caspers, he faced six batters and did not retire anyone before being lifted for Tanner Leyden. Leyden worked the rest of the game in relief giving up just three runs on six hits. Coach Danny Hershberger talked about Leyden’s performance after the game.
“We came out and really wanted to try and get ahead in the count and go from there, but Lisbon came out really aggressivee and looking for fastballs and just happened to have [Nye’s] number last night,” Hershberger said. “[Leyden] came in and did a fantastic job for us, really competed out there, threw strikes and really kept them off balance for the rest of the game.”
Marshall Morgan was as good as advertised for Lisbon on the hill, he entered last night’s game at 12-1 on the season and was perfect into the fifth inning before walking Aaron Ockenfels. Morgan was lifted for Conner Woodward in the sixth who surrendered the first and only IMS hit on the night on a single to right center field from Brent Brenneman. With the loss IMS ends their season at 16-11. Hershberger spoke following the game about what the seniors on this year’s team meant to both him as a first year coach and to the program.
“[The seniors] did a fantastic job of being leaders on and off the field. They led by example, they weren’t afraid to tell guys what to do, and they really did a great job of setting the tone with a new coaching staff, which is always tough,” Hershberger said. “All of the four seniors worked really hard and came in ready to play every day, and their leadership and their legacy is left here now for the guys to step to next year.”
#6 Lisbon advances to the district championship Saturday night to face Lone Tree at Dick Sojka memorial field in Washington.