Western Boone Jr. - Sr. High School

After dropping a heart breaker on Saturday to McCutcheon, where they gave up eight unearned runs in a one-run loss, the Western Boone baseball team needed to get back to their roots on Tuesday when they started a big Sagamore Conference series with Frankfort. The Stars did just that, holding the Hot Dogs to two runs on three hits, and didn't commit an error in a 4-2 win that moved them into a second-place tie in the conference standings. "We really did a good job in all three parts of the game," Western Boone head coach Michael Nance said. "Getting down 2-1 in the second inning, we aren't a team that is going to role over, but the momentum felt like it switched a little bit. So I was proud of our guys for fighting back and playing a full seven innings." The Stars took a 1-0 lead in the first on an error, but Frankfort came back in the second with a pair of runs to take a 2-1 lead. The Stars came back to rally in fourth. WeBo loaded the bases with no outs on two errors and a single. Layton Yancey hit a 2-run single to give the Stars a 3-2 lead, and with the bases loaded and two outs - Quinn Westerfeld drew a walk to make a 4-2 game. Western Boone only had two hits (Yancey led the group in going 2-for-3), but took advantage of two walks and four Frankfort errors. "I loved our at bats," Nance said. "That has been a goal of ours all winter long - finding ways to score runs and not leave guys on base. We really executed that tonight." freestar From there it was up to the WeBo defense. In the Hot Dog's final four at bats, they twice got the lead-off hitter on, but the Stars turned double plays. Westerfeld then retired eight of the final nine batters he faced to seal the win. "That is who we are capable of being - error-free baseball and giving up just two runs against a really good offense," Nance said. "Especially after Saturday, having our guys turn around and play the way I know they're capable of was very encouraging." Westerfeld struck out five in a complete game win. The Stars, now 11-9 and 7-3 in the conference, are tied with Frankfort for second in the Sagamore 1.5 games behind leader Tri-West. Game two of the series is scheduled for Thursday at WeBo. "The great part about baseball is that win or lose, it's immediately over the next day," Nance said. "We will have a short practice tomorrow for senior awards night and then hopefully get right back after it on Thurday." Will Willems is the Sports Editor of the Lebanon Reporter. Follow him on Twitter @Will_Willems.