Fort Hill opens playoffs with 11-1 win over Hancock

CUMBERLAND — It wasn’t Fort Hill’s best outing, but the No. 3 seed Sentinels did enough for an 11-1 win in six innings over No. 6 Hancock in Thursday’s Class 1A West Region I quarterfinal at Washington Middle.

“Today was a little bit of a rough one,” Fort Hill manager Tanner Brode said. “Little slow to get started. Hopefully, we got the kinks out today in preparation for Saturday. Overall, I would say I’m a little disappointed at how we came out today.”

The Sentinels (10-9-1) had one hit through three innings and left six runners on, including second and third to end the third and fifth frames.

“I think just manufacturing some runs,” Brode said. “Leaving some guys on, we’re not really crossing off our jobs chart. We have a jobs chart we look at after every game, there’s not a lot of checkmarks. I think that’s something I’d like for us to be in a better spot in.

The Panthers (2-17) scored the game’s first run on a wild pitch in the top of the first.

Fort Hill scored the final 11, leading 3-1 after three before scoring five in the fifth and three in the sixth.

“I can’t really speak for the kids, but we try to prepare the same way for everybody,” Brode said of possibly overlooking Hancock. “Maybe looking a little bit ahead, that’s definitely a tough matchup, reigning 1A state champs. I don’t think so, but it could’ve been.”

Bobby Brauer, Coye Resh and Christian Hook each had two hits for the Sentinels.

Hook drove in three runs while Brauer and Jake Rice each added a pair.

Colt Resh got the win, tossing 2 1/3 innings with five strikeouts against three hits and two walks with an unearned run.

Coye Resh also struck out five in 3 1/3 shutout frames.

Ethan Hill was charged with four earned runs in 4 1/3 innings for Hancock.

Fort Hill advances to the region semifinals on Saturday at No. 2 Allegany. The game is tentatively set for noon, weather permitting.

The Campers (11-6) swept the regular season meetings, 3-0 and 8-3.

“I think we just got to get them out of their rhythm,” Brode said. “Expect to see Kohen Madden, but Liam Buck’s another solid pitcher. And they have a couple guys behind those two, so just trying to get their pitcher off rhythm. Try to get some momentum on the offensive side.”