Facing the prospect of a potential four-game losing streak, the Heritage Patriots got a big boost Monday night as Landon Lybarger returned to the mound for the first time in three weeks and earned the W in relief of Landri Linder against Churubusco.
Linder’s solid outing gave the Patriots a chance to break their run of bad luck. He allowed no hits through four innings and struck out four, but coach Dean Lehrman needed someone to get out of a jam in the fifth inning before the game got out of hand and away from the Patriots.
Linder had gotten the first two outs of the fifth, but allowed four straight singles and the Eagles had tied the game at 2-2 when Lybarger came out of the bullpen.
The senior struck out Dawson Gump on a full count to strand runners at second and third.
A bit rusty from his time off, Lybarger worked around two walks in the sixth to strike out the side and keep Heritage in the game.
In the bottom of the seventh, Max Mirelez led off the inning with a single and Eli Rauner walked, setting up Lucas Taylor for an RBI opportunity as the Patriots took the lead. Iastyn Roe delivered the final blow, knocking in two runs with a single to center to put Heritage up 5-2.
Mirelez then came in to pitch for Lybarger, allowing an unearned run, but picking up the save.
Heritage will have an opportunity to re-enter the ACAC title race over the next 48 hours. They’ll host unbeaten Bluffton Tuesday and then finish their marathon game with Adams Central (score 2-2 in the 14th) on Wednesday. A win in both of those games would allow them to claim a share of the conference with Bluffton if they beat Jay County on Thursday.
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