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ORCHARD — Hartington skipper Don Whitmire knew the ice bath was coming Tuesday.
He didn’t mind. The Gatorade bucket full of ice water was a fitting celebration after his team rolled to an 11-1 win over Ponca to claim the C1 Area championship and punch its ticket to the Senior Legion State Tournament.
Hartington took control early with two runs in the top of the first. Koby Detlefsen drove in one with a groundout, and Grady Haberer followed with an RBI double down the left field line.
The lead grew in the third when Detlefsen and Haberer each delivered RBI singles, part of a three-run inning that extended Hartington’s advantage.
Detlefsen also earned the win on the mound, allowing five hits and one run over five innings. He struck out one and walked one. Ponca starter Nolan Janssen gave up six hits and eight runs — six earned — over 3 1/3 innings, striking out two and walking four.
Hartington racked up 12 hits overall. Detlefsen, batting cleanup, went 2-for-3 with four RBIs. Haberer, Detlefsen, Breiton Whitmire and Dylan Taylor all collected two hits apiece.
Hartington was aggressive on the basepaths, swiping nine total bases. Maverick Heine, Whitmire and Taylor each had multiple steals. The defense turned two double plays.
For Ponca, Jace Wahls, Tucker McGill, Trystan Bevelhymer, Kyne Byrne and Austin Dendinger each had one hit. Byrne went 1-for-2 with an RBI for Ponca’s only run.
