Ian Blankenship mows down Harlem; Hononegah advances to regional championship game

ROCKTON, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — Hononegah’s postseason journey is off to a good start thanks to a strong pitching outing by junior righthander Ian Blankenship. He went all seven innings Thursday afternoon leading the Indians past NIC-10 rival Harlem 4-1 in a class 4A regional semifinal game at Hononegah.

Blankenship surrendered five hits while showing good control allowing only three walks. Harlem’s only run scored on an Eli Skidmore two-out single in the top of the third inning that scored Jaxen Tank making it 1-1.

Hononegah didn’t exactly crush the baseball, but the Indians made timely contact. They got a run in the bottom of the second on a fielders’ choice groundout. They scored two more runs in the bottom of the third on an RBI double by Drake Broege and on a wild pitch. The Indians added an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth inning on a Broege groundout.

Evan Sayles, Logan Edwards, and Jakob DeLeo each had two hits for Hononegah. Sayles also stole two bases. Jackson Heidemann was Harlem’s starting pitcher. He went six innings allowing eight hits and no walks while striking out two batters.

Hononegah will play for its own 4A regional championship Saturday at 10 a.m. against Hampshire. To view highlights of this game, watch the media player above.

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