By SCOTT NOVAK

Niles Daily Star

Just when it looked like Howard Township was going to pick up a win at the 11-year-old Ohio Valley Regional at Firemen’s Park, Germantown, Ky. rallied for the victory.

In a game to decide who would qualify for the single elimination portion of the tournament Monday morning, Germantown advanced with a come-from-behind 8-7 victory.

Germantown got out to an early 4-1 lead on Howard Township, which came back in the bottom of the fourth to take the lead.

After Conner Amberg was hit by a pitch and stole second, Noah Frantz drew a walk to put runners at first and second for Howard.

Cody Glick drew a walk to load the bases for Bryce Lake, who reached on an error as two runs scored to cut the lead to 4-3.

Germantown replaced starter Neal Hancock on the mound with Alex Hood.

Another error allowed Keegan Neumann to reach base and plated two more runners to give Howard Township a 5-4 advantage.

Amberg hit a solo home run in the fifth inning and Howard forced another run across the plate to take a 6-4 lead into the sixth inning.

Germantown used three singles and a walk, which loaded the bases to plate a run in the top of the sixth and send the game into extra innings.

Dylan Barth and Brandon Flora stroked back-to-back singles and Peyton Hood drew a walk to fill the bases.

Hancock’s two-run single  squared the game at 7-7.

After a one, two, three inning for Howard in the bottom of the sixth, Germantown went back on the offensive in the top of the seventh.

Austin Black reached base on an error to open the inning, but was forced out at second when Jacob Huber reached on a fielder’s choice play.

Huber promptly stole second and then moved to third on a wild pitch.

Tyler Cull then grounded out to first base allowing Huber to score the winning run.

In the bottom of the seventh, Howard again went down in order to end the game.

Hood was the winning pitcher for Germantown, while Frantz took the loss in relief for Howard Township.

Homewood…1

Harris Township…3

In one of the quickest games in the tournament, Harris Township won its quarterfinal game against Homewood, Ill. Monday afternoon 3-1.

Matt Barnard scattered five hits to earn the victory on the hill for Harris.

Kyle Henke did most of the damage at the plate for Harris as he homered and drove in a pair of runs.

Nolan Sage had the other RBI as he singled.

Nick McAlister and Augie Schlaffer each had two hits for Homewood.

Schlaffer was also the losing pitcher despite six strikeouts.