Lisbon passes early-season test from Highland in 1A top-10 battle

LISBON – Lisbon needed to be challenged.

The ninth-ranked Lions hadn't faced many, winning early-season games by an average of 13.75 runs. Returning state qualifier and No. 10 Highland provided the test and the Lions still passed.

Lisbon produced two three-run innings, using some timely hits and taking advantage of some miscues for a 6-4 victory in Class 1A action Wednesday night at Lisbon City Park.

'It was a good game,' Lisbon Coach Travis Bennett said. 'We need more games like that to get ready for the postseason.'

The Lions (9-1) got on the board first, scoring in the third. Starting pitcher Ryley Scott walked and Wes Benyshek reached on a misplayed sacrifice. Another walk to Brett Givens loaded the bases with one out. Austin Krob delivered an RBI single to right field to bring in courtesy runner Austin Soukup.

Tyson Williams' fielder's choice scored Benyshek and an errant two-out error brought in Givens for a 3-0 lead.

'We're all good hitters,' Krob said. 'We just need to relax at the plate.'

Highland chipped away and pulled within 3-2 in the fifth. Josh Michel singled and scored on an error in the fourth. The next inning Trey Lasek was hit by a pitch to lead off and scored on a Bill Burton base hit.

The Lions added insurance in the bottom of the sixth. Krob led off with a triple that short-hopped the right-field fence that stands 350 feet from home. Hagen Waters added an RBI single and an error led to the final run for a 6-2 edge.

The extra runs were needed. The Huskies (7-2) answered with an RBI triple from all-stater Chase Rath and a sacrifice fly from Michel.

'The pressure was on and we really stepped up and closed the game out in the end,' Bennett said. 'We got the hits when we needed to. It's tough going from 20-run wins to a two-run ballgame sometimes but we did well tonight.'

Scott and Krob combined for a five-hitter. Scott allowed just one run through the first four innings. Krob shut down the Huskies, striking out six in the final three innings. He struck out three in the sixth, stranding the potential tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position. He tallied strikeouts in two of the last three outs of the game.

'They are two very special arms at any level,' Bennett said. 'They attack the strike zone. They have good off-speed stuff. Their fastball tails.'

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