MAYVILLE, N.D.-Thompson keeps finding ways to score runs.
The Tommies earned a shot at defending their 2016 North Dakota Class B state high school baseball championship by defeating Hatton-Northwood 13-1 here Wednesday in the title game of the Region 2 tournament.
Thompson (19-0) has scored nine or more runs in its last seven games and averages 10.1 runs per game. The Tommies outscored their opponents 34-5 in their three region tournament games.
Thompson coach Brady Schwab calls those numbers a little deceptive.
"We are getting guys on base and finding ways to get them home,'' Schwab said. "We were able to get timely hits with runners in scoring position.
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"We have a lot of guys with a lot of experience. They know how to win-some nights it's been with our pitching, sometimes it's with our hitting, sometimes it's been with our defense.''
Calen Schwabe, Brett Sutter-Hegg and Tyler Hegg each had two hits to lead the 10-hit offense for the Tommies. Schwabe scored four runs, while Sutter-Hegg scored twice and drove home two and Jacob Dick drove in two runs.
Hatton-Northwood reached the title game after losing in the opening round and coming back through the loser-out bracket. "A lot of teams are out of pitching,'' Schwab said. "We were able to take advantage of some of their young, inexperienced pitchers.
"There's a lot of pressure on our kids (as defending state champion). I'm proud of the way they've handled it.''
