The Connersville Spartans baseball team (11–10, 5–5 EIAC) traveled to Aurora on Monday to face conference opponent South Dearborn (6–12, 5–5 EIAC), looking to snap a two game skid. In a tight pitcher’s duel, the Knights grabbed a one run lead in the bottom of the sixth, but with two outs in the seventh, Kooper Grizzell delivered a clutch two run double that lifted the Spartans to a 2–1 victory — a lead Brody Shearer would make hold up in the final frame.

Shearer was outstanding on the mound, throwing seven innings, allowing just one unearned run on two hits, and striking out 11. South Dearborn’s Mason Hamlet matched him nearly pitch for pitch, also going seven innings while allowing two runs on three hits and striking out ten.

The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the sixth, when the Knights opened the inning with back to back walks to Maddox Williams and Ryker Morris. Shearer induced a double play ball that left Williams at third, but a pitch that got away allowed the Knights to push across the go ahead run before Shearer ended the inning with a strikeout.

Connersville answered immediately in the seventh. With one out, Brayden Keller drew a walk, then stole second on the first pitch to Noah Patterson, who later walked as well. L.J. Ellis laid down a successful sacrifice bunt, moving both runners into scoring position with two outs. Grizzell wasted no time, driving a double into center field to score Keller and Patterson and give the Spartans a 2–1 lead.
In the bottom of the seventh, after a leadoff single, Shearer slammed the door by striking out the next three hitters to secure the win.

With the victory, Connersville improves to 12–10 overall and 6–5 in EIAC play. The Spartans return to action Thursday when they host South Dearborn for the home half of the conference series. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.