Kelch’s go-ahead HR in extras, Wiegand’s gem send Chargers past Highland in Game 1

FREEPORT — The Carl Sandburg College baseball team pushed its Arrowhead Conference win streak to nine games with a dramatic extra-inning victory in Game 1 at Highland before falling to the Cougars in Game 2 of a conference doubleheader Thursday.

GAME 1
Sandburg 6, Highland 5 (8 innings)
Sandburg         000      300      03        —        6          8          7
Highland          200      001      02        —        5          7          3
W – Austin Wiegand 7 IP, 4 K, 1 BB
SV – Brycen McGarry 1 IP, 1 K, 1 BB

KEY MOMENTS
• Tied 3-3 in the eighth, Austin Wiegand opened with a double and scored on Frank Kelch's tiebreaking two-run home run to left. Two batters later, Mateo Pena gave the Chargers some insurance with a blast to left field for a 6-3 lead.
• A walk and three singles in the bottom of the eighth got Highland to within a run and pushed the tying and winning runs into scoring position, but Brycen McGarry got a grounder to second for the final out to secure the victory.

SANDBURG STANDOUT
While Kelch and Pena provided the fireworks late, Wiegand shined on the mound to put the Chargers in position to win. The lefthander went a season-best seven innings to secure his first victory. Wiegand allowed three runs (one earned) on just four hits and a walk. He struck out seven in the effort. The freshman also went 1 for 3 with a walk, double and two runs scored at the plate.

OTHER TOP CHARGERS
• Kelch — 1 for 4, home run, two runs, three RBIs
• Pena — Solo home run

GAME 2
Highland 12, Sandburg 2 (5 innings)
Sandburg         101      00        —        2          6          1
Highland          10(11) 0x        —        12        7          1
L – Chase Mason 2.1 IP, 2 K, 3 BB

KEY MOMENT
The Chargers took a 2-1 lead in the third on Kelch's infield single with the bases loaded, but Highland erupted for 11 runs in the bottom half on the strength of five hits, five walks, a hit batsman and an error.

SANDBURG STANDOUT
Wiegand had another solid game at the plate, going 2 for 2 with an RBI base hit in the first.

UP NEXT
1 p.m. Friday at Madison 

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