Josh Powers reaches third and dislodges the base during a 3-run first inning for the Vikings. (Post Photo by Rickey Clardy)
Kaleb Maillet delivers a pitch for the Vikings. Maillet was the winning pitcher and pitched into the seventh inning before reaching the 120-pitch limit. (Post Photo by Rickey Clardy)
By RICKEY CLARDY
Sports Writer
BELL BUCKLE — A lead is sometimes in jeopardy until the final out is made.
That was never more evident Thursday night as the Community Vikings took a 6-3 lead into the final inning against the Cascade Champions in the District 9-2A second place game, but the Vikings fended off a Champion rally after Cascade got within one and put the tying and winning runs in scoring position as Community took a 6-5 win and advanced to the Region 5-2A tournament.
The two teams were facing each other for the fourth time in 11 days with the stakes high and only one spot available in the region tournament.
Cascade had won two of the three previous meetings, including a win in a semifinal game of the district tourney.
Community (18-15) wasted little time gaining the lead in the opening inning.
After Josh Powers doubled to lead off the game and Wes Haley walked, Case Davis deposited a pitch over the right field wall for a 3-run homer to give the Vikings a 3-0 lead.
Viking starter Kaleb Maillet retired the first two Champion batters in the bottom of the first, but a popup off the bat of Caleb Crouch down the first base line fell to the ground untouched for a base hit to extend the inning for the Champs. Cascade (14-9) took advantage of the base runner as a Wickey Parker double scored the run to get the Champs on the board.
After a walk to Thomas Demartelaere, Jayden Hathcock singled to drive in a run and cut the Viking lead to 3
Jordan Childress of the Champions fields the ball and fires to first for the out. (Post Photo by Rickey Clardy)
-2 heading to the second inning.
The Vikings increased their advantage in the inning as Isaiah Beech led off with a walk.
After a stolen base, Ryan Sharp drove in the run with an RBI-single as Community went up 4-2.
The Vikings added to their lead in the third by scoring their final two runs of the contest.
After a walk to Davis and a double by Elijah Westbrooks put two runners in scoring position, Maillet drove in a run on a fielder’s choice after the Champions could not cut down the Viking runner at the plate.
Dylan Markum followed with a sacrifice bunt to score the second Viking run and give Community a 6-2 lead.
Meanwhile, it was lights out for Maillet as the sophomore retired 13 Champions in a row as the Vikings maintained their lead.
Community was also held in bay after their early run production as Champion hurler A.J. Manus, who was the third Cascade pitcher after starter Jordan Childress and reliever Dawson Youngblood, kept the Vikings from increasing their advantage.
With the pitch count increasing for Maillet, the Champions started to find some success at the plate in the bottom of the sixth.
Xykaiah Dixon singled to give the Champs their first base runner since the opening inning.
After a wild pitch, Crouch singled in the run to cut the Viking lead to 6-3.
The Vikings put two runners on base with walks in the top of the seventh but could not score, setting the stage for the last half of the seventh.
Maillet fanned the first batter he faced as the bottom of the Champion lineup came to the plate.
But the tide turned as Daymian Maldonado singled and Elijah Wesenberg, the number nine hitter in the Champion order, homered over the left-center field wall as the Viking lead was cut to 6-5.
With momentum on Cascade’s side, Childress drew a base on balls to put the tying run on base.
With a 3 and 2 count on Dixon, Maillet reached his 120-pitch limit, forcing the Vikings to change pitchers as Beech came in from right field.
After ball four and a double steal, the Champion tying run reached third and the winning run advanced to second with one out.
Beech battled and fielded a chopper to record the out at first and keep the Champion tying run at third.
After an intentional walk to Parker, Beech induced a ground ball to third.
Maillet, who went to third after completing his time on the mound, fielded the ball on a short hop and fired to first for the final out as the Vikings escaped with the win.
The Vikings had seven hits with Maillet helping his own cause with two singles along with the blast by Davis.
In addition to the home run by Wesenberg, Crouch had two singles to pace the 7-hit Champion attack.
Maillet struck out five while walking three in picking up the win for the Vikings.
Community advances to the Region 5-2A tournament, which is set to begin next Friday at Forrest.
The Vikings will play the winner of the ongoing District 10-2A tournament in their opening game.
Community 312 000 0 — 6 7 0
Cascade 200 001 2 — 5 7 0
Community: Josh Powers 1-for-4, Case Davis 1-for-3, Elijah Westbrooks 1-for-3, Kaleb Maillet 2-for-3, Dylan Markum 1-for-2, Ryan Sharp 1-for-3.
Cascade: Xykaiah Dixon 1-for-3, Caleb Crouch 2-for-4, Wickey Parker 1-for-3, Jayden Hathcock 1-for-3, Daymian Maldonado 1-for-2, Elijah Wesenberg 1-for-3.
WP: Maillet
LP: Childress
SV: Beech
