SIDNEY - Leading 4-2, Sidney added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning, that proved to be the difference, as they defeated the Chadron First Nationals 5-4 in their last home game of the season Tuesday night at Legion Field. Chadron’s hit a pair of doubles and a single, plating 2 runs, to begin the top of the seventh inning, but Sidney was able to hang on for the win.

Chadron started the scoring in the top of the first when Cobie Bila singled to Left field. Eric Vehrenkamp came on as a courtesy runner and stole second, advanced to third on a passed ball and then scored on another passed ball to give Chadron the lead.

Cobie Bila, who pitched the entire game for Chadron, retired the first two Sidney batters he faced. But after Blaine Russel reached base on an error, and a pair of singles by Micah Schneider and Sam Hashman, the wheels started to come off Billa’s wagon. He walked the next 3 hitters he faced, 2 with the bases loaded giving Sidney a 2-1 lead. An infield single by Austin Wolfe scored the third Sidney run of the inning.

Sidney added a fourth run in the second when Reid Fiscus reached base on an error by Chadron third-baseman Cody Hall. Fiscus advanced to second on Blaine Russel’s ground ball out to shortstop, then moved to third on a passed ball and scored on Micah Schneider’s RBI single to right field.

Billa settled in on the mound after that, facing one batter over the minimum through the next 3 innings. Sidney’s insurance run came on a one-out single by Landon Riddle in the sixth inning. Riddle stole second and scored on Paul Houser’s RBI single to right field.

After Chadron notched their 2 runs in the top of the seventh, the game ended when Billa was called out on an appeal play at second base for the third out of the inning.

Cobie Billa took the loss for Chadron by surrendering 5 runs on 7 hits, while striking out 2 and walking 3 in 6 complete innings of work.

Sam Hashman picked up the win on the mound for Sidney, throwing 104 pitches over going 5? innings. He gave up 2 runs on 8 hits while striking out 5 and walking only 1 Chadron hitter.

Micah Schneider led the Sidney offense going 2 of 3 at the plate with a run scored and an RBI.

The Sidney Juniors fell to Chadron 9-5 in the early game on Tuesday. Both teams will be in action beginning Friday in the Area 7 Junior tournament at Chadron. Chadron is the #4 seed and will play against #3 seed Ogallala at 7:00 p.m. Friday night. The Sidney Juniors are the #5 seed and they will face second seeded Gering at 4:00 p.m.