A seventh-inning rally fell short for the fifth-seeded Harrisburg Bulldogs against Central State 8 rival Eugene in the Class 2 District 8 Tournament Championship game Wednesday night. Trailing 5-0, the Bulldogs scored three runs in the final inning, but would come no closer, ending their season two runs short of a district title, 5-3.

Harrisburg concluded the season with an even .500 record of 12-12.

Eugene struck first in the bottom of the opening frame. Drew Hart led off with a double and scored on a single by Sam Schulte. The Eagles added to their early lead in the bottom of the third inning after when Schulte doubled to center field to once again score Hart. Schulte then scored on a passed ball to put Eugene in front by three runs.

Eugene scored again in the bottom of the fifth on a sacrifice bunt. The Eagles drove in their final run in the bottom of the sixth on an RBI-double by Garet Wood to take a commanding five-run lead with one inning left.

The Bulldogs took advantage of a Eugene pitching change in the top of the seventh. After struggling against Hart with just two hits over six scoreless innings and 10 strikeouts, the Harrisburg bats came alive against Chase Richard. The junior reliever struck out the second batter he faced, but walked the bases is loaded. Senior Bryce Ott then drove in two runs on a line drive single to left field. Later in the inning with two outs, senior Ike DeMuth drove in another run with the ground ball single to right field. But Harrisburg could score no more. A final groundout ended the Bulldogs’ season just two runs shy of a district title.

Hart claimed the win after striking out 10 batters over six shutout innings. Richard allowed three earned runs on two hits with three walks and a strikeout to earn the save.

Eugene finished with eight hits, including doubles by Hart, Wood, and Schulte.

Harrisburg ace Ike DeMuth took the loss after allowing five runs (3 earned) on eight hits with four walks and nine strikeouts in 5.2 innings. Ott mopped up the final batter, inducing a two-pitch ground out to close out the sixth.

DeMuth also led his team at the plate, the only Bulldog to finish with multiple hits. He went 2-for-3 with a double and one RBI. Ott and junior Hunter Caldwell each singled.

The loss signals the end of high school careers for seniors DeMuth, Keagan Morris, Bryce Ott, and Trace Combs. The Bulldogs expect to return a strong class of six experienced juniors and a sophomore to next season’s lineup.

DeMuth will move on to play at the college level next year. On May 8, he signed a commitment to play for the Moberly Area Community College Greyhounds next season.

Eugene (22-8) moved on to defeat District 7 champion Westran on Monday night. 3-0, and now advances to the state quarterfinals against Scotland County today (Wednesday).