Bronson boys played an exceptionally clean game to down Hawthorne 4-2 in the first round of the district tournament last week. Starting pitcher Luke Morrison allowed no hits and three walks through five innings, holding the Hornets scoreless with the help of a nearly flawless defensive backup.

The Eagles hit timely and well, led by C.J. King who went 2-3 with a single and a double.

Eagle hitters attacked Hawthorne starter Tony Green early, starting with Virgil Greenlee's leadoff single in the first inning. It took Bronson until the third inning to score, starting when C.J. King slashed a double up the middle. King, now in the DH slot with Mario Spadavecchia's return to first base following a serious knee injury, has seen his season's work at the plate finally come to fruition in his best hitting game all year. He was followed on by Kelby Barber with a single, and Jake Williams drew a walk. A passed ball scored King and advanced Barber and Williams; Barber then stole home and Williams was driven in by Spadavecchia. Bronson led 3-0 after three innings.

Green stuck it out for Hawthorne in the fourth inning, sending the Eagles down in order, but in the top of the fifth, Aaron Dampier came in to relieve. He held Bronson batters off in the top of the inning, and in the bottom half, the Hornet batters finally got warmed up.

With one out, Green drew a walk; Dampier then doubled to deep center. Both runners scored to make the score a precarious 3-2 Bronson. With one out, Bronson's Kelby Barber came in to close. Alan Brooks and Tyler Martensen easily handled the infield grounders, preserving the Eagles' lead into the sixth inning.

Bronson needed some insurance on the narrow lead, but it looked as if they would return in the seventh defending a one-run advantage. Then, with two out in the bottom of the sixth, John Stephenson lined the ball into left field for a single and was brought home by King for a 4-2 lead. Barber returned to the mound for Hawthorne's last try and punched out the first batter, fielded the second batter's bouncer up the middle and caught the last man looking for the third out and the game.

“We played really well today,” said Eagles' head coach Mike Pogue.

“It was nice to have Mario back, and nice that we were hitting well.”

Pogue was also pleased with the outcome of having Barber available to close.

“We lost a lot of close games earlier this year before I had Kelby to shut the door,” he said.