SALLISAW –  The Hilldale Hornets (23-2) secured the 4A,8 District Title Monday afternoon by defeating the (18-4) Sallisaw Black Diamond 9-3 in a crucial district match up.

It all started early for the Hornets when they got on the board early on a Chandler Wood double that scored Mason Pickering.

Wood would go on to score on a Parker Ireland single and Hilldale was off and running 2-0 after one inning.

The big blow for the Hornets came in the second inning on a two out rally. It all started with a single by Jace Hannon, Chad Parks reaching on an error and a walk to Pickering to load the bases.

A Cole Leach fielder’s choice scored Hannon, and the Hornets went up 3-0.

With the bases still loaded, and two outs, Wood smoked a shot over the right field fence for a grand slam homer and a 7-0 Hilldale lead after two.

In the bottom of the third inning. Sallisaw got couple back after walks to Luke Pack and Connor Green produced a run on a Rylan Eagle single and a wild pitch added another when Brodi Nickell crossed the plate.

Both teams scored in the fourth when Hilldale got one back on a Pickering double that scored Hannon, and the Diamonds returned the favor with a Creed Nelson single that scored Kase Adams to make it 8-3 Hornets.

Hilldale’s big bats were Parks, Case Leach, Pickering and Wood all with doubles and the big shot from Wood with the grand slam homer.

Cole Leach got the win for Hilldale going three innings allowing six walks and striking out four. Case Leach finished the game for the Hornets going four innings allowing no walks and striking out four Sallisaw hitters.

Creed Nelson took the loss for the Black Diamonds going all seven innings, allowing 8 runs on nine hits, walking three hitters and striking out six batters.

Both teams will go at it again at Hilldale Tuesday in a game that will start at 5:00 PM.