On Saturday night at Emerson Field, the Hernando High baseball team defeated Umatilla 6-1 in a Region 3A-2 quarterfinal to move on to the Sweet 16. The Leopards, seeded third, were led by head coach Tim Sims and pitcher Austin Knierim.
The game got off to a dramatic start, with Umatilla’s Cade Peterson working a leadoff walk in the top of the first inning. However, Hernando’s Waylon Williamson made a crucial play, turning a double play to shift the momentum in favor of the Leopards. In the bottom of the first, Brody Hedick reached on an error and advanced to third on a wild pitch. The Leopards capitalized on the opportunity, scoring early and never relenting to secure the 6-1 victory.
The win marks the second consecutive postseason meeting between Hernando and Umatilla, with the Leopards having won a best-of-3 regional final against the Bulldogs last year. Hernando finished the regular season with a 21-5 record, while Umatilla ended with a 15-13 record.
Originally reported by Hernando Sun
Sources: Hernando Sun
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