HAMMOND | The Hammond Chiefs are learning how to win close games, and it’s coming at the right time.

After Monday’s narrow 2-1 win over the NWI Rippers, the Chiefs were triumphant over the Indiana Breakers 5-3 on Tuesday night.

It was the third inning that provided the biggest boost for Hammond (17-7), highlighted by a two-run single from Lake Central’s Jonathan Vercimak and an RBI single from Lowell’s Danny DeBoer.

The Breakers had runners on in the first three innings, but they couldn’t score any of them, which was key in the Chiefs’ victory.

Indiana wouldn’t go away that easily, though, as they scored one in the fourth, thanks to a Joey Gallinatti sacrifice fly, and added two more in the top of the sixth.

Hammond added an insurance run after Highland’s Tyler Fraley scored on a wild pitch.

Bishop Noll’s Chad Mateja slammed the door for the save, retiring the side in the top of the seventh.

Andrean’s Jeremy Briggs added a run for the Chiefs.