Burlington rallies past Union Grove after Broncos build early four-run lead

Union Grove built an early four-run cushion Thursday, but Burlington surged ahead with a five-run sixth inning to hand the Broncos a 9-4 Southern Lakes Conference loss.

The decisive swing came in the bottom of the sixth, when Burlington turned a 4-4 game into a five-run advantage. The biggest play of the inning was an error that brought home three runs, capping a stretch in which the Demons scored five times on four hits and flipped the game for good.

Union Grove struck first and looked in control early. Tucker Katterhagen opened the scoring in the first inning with a double that drove in a run. The Broncos added three more in the third to go ahead 4-0. Cooper Dye produced a run with a groundout, Katterhagen followed with an RBI single down the left-field line, and Schmitz added another RBI single to left.

Burlington erased the deficit in the bottom of the fourth. Caliva delivered an RBI single, and Kerkhoff added to the rally with a fielder's choice as the Demons pulled even at 4-4 before their late breakout.

Katterhagen led Union Grove's offense from the middle of the lineup, finishing 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Reesman added two hits in four at-bats as the Broncos collected 10 hits overall. Burlington finished with 13 hits, with Willich going 3-for-4 and driving in three runs from the cleanup spot. Caliva also had three hits for the Demons.

Evan Northup took the loss for Union Grove after working 5 2/3 innings. He allowed eight runs, five earned, on 12 hits while striking out five and walking two. Koldeway earned the win for Burlington, giving up seven hits and four runs, only one earned, over four innings with three strikeouts and one walk.

Despite the loss, the Broncos showed early production at the plate and consistent contact throughout the game. Union Grove turned a strong start into a 4-0 lead and finished with double-digit hits, but Burlington's fourth-inning response and game-changing sixth proved to be the difference.