By Brighton McConnell
Senior Austin Roberts prepares to bat during the close game against Polk. Photo by Brighton McConnell
Though the scoring plays were few and far between, Friday’s game between Brevard High and Polk County High was certainly an exciting one, with the Blue Devils coming out on top, 2-1.
Brevard had a shaky first inning, giving up some early hits, and letting a run in. But starting pitcher Tyler Queen soon settled into the game, and left runners stranded on second and third. After struggling to get hits in the first three innings, BHS finally caught a break in the fourth, when right fielder Caleb Owenby was able to get a single that drove in a runner from third, to tie the game at one run apiece.
The Brevard baseball team looks on in the dugout as their teammates pitch. Photo by Adriana Barnes
Both teams stayed deadlocked at this score for the most of the remaining game. Neither team was able to reach home plate, though both squads did have chances. The closest Brevard came to taking the lead in the regular innings was in the bottom of the seventh, when there was a runner on third. With two outs, a grounder was hit by Brett Meany, and he was thrown out at first base, making the run that came in on the same play invalid.
The game went into extra innings, with Brevard only allowing one hit in the top of the eighth. The lead-off hitter for BHS in the bottom of the inning was shortstop Johnny Stamey, who singled, and was later advanced to second by a hit from Queen. During the next at-bat, Polk’s pitcher threw a pitch that the catcher couldn’t handle, and Stamey stole third while the catcher struggled to find the ball. In an attempt to throw out the runner, Polk’s catcher threw a ball that went into the outfield, and Stamey was able to run home for the deciding run.
The Blue Devils were able to enjoy the walk-off steal for their hard efforts in a tight game, with the final score being 2-1 in eight innings.