The Salem Wildcats season came to an end yesterday in the 3a Triad Baseball Sectionals, falling to Highland 5-2. The game was tied at 2 until the bottom of the 6th inning when Salem committed 4 errors in the frame that led to 3 unearned runs as they took the loss. The Cats opened the scoring in the top of the 4th on a run scoring single by Noah Nix. After Highland took the lead in the bottom of the inning with 2 runs, Salem tied it in the fifth on a Jalen Inlow single that scored Nate Paulson. Salem’s other singles came from Paulson and Keaton Gullion. Nix was great on the mound allowing no earned runs and 5 hits with 3 strikeouts. Salem will say good bye to 4 seniors in Kam Wilkins, Paulson, Gavin Zimmermann and Josh Powless. Their season ends at 18-19.
Highland advances to take on conference rival Mascoutah who held off Marion 1-0. The Indians threw out the would-be tying run in the bottom of the 7th to win the game. Mascoutah and Highland split their two games this season.
In 4a sectional semifinals, Edwardsville held off Alton 3-2 at Father McGivney in Glen Carbon. The Tigers will play at Illinois Wesleyan in the sectional finals against Bradley Bourbonnais who shutout Normal Community 3-0.
