Noah Krol hit a game-tying sacrifice fly and tossed 6 2-3 innings in HCC's 4-3  winner's bracket semifinal victory over Butler County on May 14, 2005 in Wichita.

Region Tournament Winner's Bracket Semifinals
Hutchinson 4, Butler County 3
May 14, 2005 - Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, Wichita

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TO TOPPLE BUTLER COUNTY,
NOW 2-0 IN REGION VI

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WICHITA – It took another six innings before the Hutchinson Community College baseball team’s offense could string anything together but the Blue Dragons found a way to score when they needed to in defeating Butler County 4-3 in the Region VI Tournament winner’s bracket semifinals on May 14, 2005 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium.

The Blue Dragons advance to meet Garden City in the winner’s bracket final.

“I think the late night last night finally got to us - not that we didn't have time to sleep in,” HCC head coach Kyle Crookes said. “I just think our guys were a little tired and we didn't play with a whole lot of energy all day. I asked them for three innings worth of energy and they were able to muster it up. This tournament is about longevity, it’s a battle of attrition.”

Butler starter Mickey Lara surrendered only one run through the first six innings and had a 3-1 lead headed into the bottom of the seventh. After Hutchinson loaded the bases by way of two hits and an error, Noah Krol hit a sacrifice fly and Thad Weber followed with an RBI single to tie the game at 3-all.

After Adam Cornejo retired Butler in order in the top of the eighth, Luke Naccarato led off with a single and was moved to second by a Torey Williams sacrifice bunt that chased Lara from the game. Facing reliever Ramsey Mattison, Hutchinson's Chris Rusler singled up the middle to score Naccarato and the go-ahead run.

“I was looking to get the ball on the right side and get the guy on third in,” said Rusler, who was 1 for 4 in the game. “They had been throwing well all day so I just wanted to hit it on the right side or up the middle and not try to do too much.”

“Torey getting that bunt down was great and obviously Rusler - it's so good to see a kid like Rusler come up because you know he's got it in him and he's a great player,” Crookes added. “He's been a wonderful role player for us and every time we put him in he gets hits. That's typical Rusler. He's a great baseball player and I'm glad people got to see him.”

Cornejo was credited with the victory – his second in two days – and Andy Dirks worked the ninth inning to earn his first save of the post-season. Blue Dragon pitching lived on the edge, stranding 11 Butler runners on base,

“It makes me feel like I’m really needed for something,” Cornejo said. “It makes me feel a little more competitive and a lot more focused. The fact that my defense backs me up every time helps me out too.”

Hutchinson starter Noah Krol pitched 6 2-3 innings before giving way to Cornejo in the top of the seventh. Krol allowed three runs and scattered seven hits. Krol struck out eight Butler batters.

The Blue Dragons out-hit Butler County 10-9, getting two hits each from Brandon Doherty, Krol, Naccarato and Dirks.