Lead-off batter Max Koenig lined a 1-0 pitch into centerfield for a base hit. Brock Jansen then laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt on his first pitch and Hoene wasted no time delivering the game- and regional-winning hit.

“I was looking for the first pitch to end the game,” Will admitted. “This game had gone on too long and I wanted to end it. I got a fastball up and in and was able to take it to the right side. Max is real quick. I knew he was going to score.”

Before completing the interview with the media, he got the “Gatorade Bath” from his teammates – although it was just water this time. He was drenched, but he didn’t mind – even knowing his graduation ceremony was just a couple hours away.

“I’ll wear this wet uniform across the stage if I have to,” Will said, followed by a laugh.

“There’s nothing better than this feeling,” he added. “Altamont is an amazing team. It doesn’t matter when or where we play them, it’s always going to be a battle.”

Three innings prior, it looked like the celebration might be taking place in the Altamont dugout. After battling to a 3-3 tie after the regulation seven innings, the Indians put together a ninth-inning surge that gave them a good chance to earn the victory.

Nathan Shepard and Mason Robinson led off with base hits up the middle and then pulled off a double steal. Jared Hammer put Altamont ahead with a single to right field, bringing in Shepard. He then stole second ahead of Nathan Stuemke’s squeeze bunt that brought in the second run. Keinon Eirhart then walked to load the bases.

The Indians were already ahead by two runs and the sacks jammed with no outs. St. Anthony pitcher Eli Levitt then turned in a season-saving effort by retiring the next three hitters, keeping the Bulldogs within striking distance.

And they responded.

The first three batters all reached base. Jansen walked, Hoene grounded a base hit up the middle and Ryan Schmidt walked to load the bases. Beau Adams flied out to shallow centerfield – not deep enough for the runner at third to score -- and Eli Levitt bounced into a fielder’s choice. It brought in one run.

Brock Fearday then hit a “nubber” that bounced just to the side of the pitcher’s mound. He was able to reach base without a throw and the tying run crossed the plate.

“Things could’ve been much worse – both in the first and ninth innings,” Kreke noted. “Both of those could have easily been four, five or six-run innings. But we were able to right the ship and stay under control.

“These kids are relentless,” Kreke added. “Even when momentum is not on our side, there’s nothing that can take us out of a game. They found a way to get on base, score a couple runs and play more innings. We expect to win and these kids never give up. I’m just so proud of them.”

Kreke was right about that first inning.

After the first Altamont batter was retired, Hammer, Stuemke and Eirhart each singled to load the bases. Dillan Elam then lined a pitch hard, but right at Jansen in rightfield, leaving the bases full. But with two outs, Wyatt Phillips’ ground ball was misplayed, allowing two runs to score.

The Bulldogs came back to take the lead in the bottom of the second. Aiden Lauritzen grounded a lead-off single to right. With two outs, Hoene walked and Schmidt smacked the first pitch he saw into center for an RBI single. Adams followed with a line drive to right that eluded a diving Kaidyn Miller and rolled toward the fence. That brought in two more runs, putting SAHS on top, 3-2.

It stayed that way until the sixth. Elam powered a 3-2 pitch into the left-centerfield alley for a double. He went to third on a ground out and scored on an error to knot the score at 3-3.

Levitt, who came on in relief after Fearday reached his pitch count in the seventh, got the win. He went the final 5.1 innings, allowing two runs on four hits. He threw 90 pitches, walking two and striking out four. Fearday went the first 6.2 innings. He gave up three runs and six hits, while walking one and striking out five. He threw 119 pitches.

Robinson went seven strong innings for Altamont. He allowed three runs on four hits. He walked four and struck out 13 during his 112-pitch outing. Ethan Robbins, Altamont’s fourth pitcher, took the loss.

The Bulldogs, who improved to 25-4 on the season, will now play in the Altamont Sectional. They will face Casey-Westfield at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Casey-Westfield won the Neoga Regional.

The first game Wednesday will be played at 4:30 p.m. between Arcola, winner of the Tuscola Regional, and South Central, who won its own regional.

The sectional championship will be played at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 27.

“I couldn’t be happier for these guys,” Kreke said. “We’ve had great leadership from our seniors and contributions from everybody – top to bottom.

“Being able to play in the sectional is great,” Kreke added. “I know we’re a solid, good ball club, but every team here will be going after it. We’ve played tough competition, which helps prepare us for these games. Casey-Westfield has been playing good ball, as well, but we’ll be ready to go.”