Overcoming a two-run deficit in its final two at bats, Bradley Central claimed its eighth straight win and 10th of last 11, with big victory over county rival Walker Valley, Friday evening, at the McKenzie Baseball Complex.
"They (WV) controlled the tempo early on, so we just had to wait them out and we finally got some key hits when we needed them to be able to pull it out," commented veteran "Papa Bear" Travis Adams after the 5-2 victory.
"Tip your hat to Walker Valley, they have a pretty tough lineup and gave themselves a chance to tie it in the seventh."
Both teams will return their respective district schedules next week, with Bradley (10-6, 3-0 District 6-4A) taking on Ooltewah and Walker Valley (5-11, 1-2 District 5-4A) battling McMinn County in three-game series.
The Bears will travel to Ooltewah Monday and Thursday, plus host the Owls Tuesday.
The Herd will entertain the Cherokees Monday and Thursday, plus head to Athens Tuesday.
BEARS 5
MUSTANGS 2
The Mustangs got on the board quickly Friday when Carson-Newman signee Braxton Smith stroked a one-out single in the opening at bat, stole second, moved to third on a hit by classmate Conner Phillip.
After Kellar Stansell reached on the first of three Bear errors to jam the sacks, Michael Pledge "took one for the team" to force Smith home.
Following a trio of scoreless innings, the visitors were able to add another score to the top of the tally when Phillips opened the top of the fifth with a single, was bunted up a base by Stansell, swiped third and scored on a Bradley throwing error.
Bradley finally got the goose egg off the bottom of the board in the bottom of the fifth as Jaxon Humble drew a two-out walk before moving up on a single by Spane Bristol and coming home when UTC football signee Luke Keith delivered a hit.
The Herd thought they had added another score in the sixth but the baserunner was called out for leaving the bag too soon on a sac fly.
After having been held to just one hit in their first four at bats, the Bears continued the momentum gained in the previous inning with five hits, including four afte the second out was recorded, for the game-winning rally.
Cleveland State signee Hank Adams opened the bottom of the sixth, beating out an infield single, for his second hit of the day.
After the next batter struck out, Jonathan Alomar dropped down a sac bunt to move Adams to second base.
Northwestern football signee Tito Williams followed with an infield hit of his own to put runners on the corners.
Lee University signee Alex Brew drove home Adams with the tying run with an opposite field single before Humble brought home two more scores with a hit. Bristol plated the game's final run with his second hit of the contest.
"We got some really timely hits in the sixth inning from Brew to tie the game and Jaxon with the game-winning runs," related Coach Adams.
Walker Valley had high hopes when Stansell ripped his second single with one out in the top of the seventh before back-to-back walks to Pledge and pinch hitter Titus Torbett loaded the bases.
After the Bear mentor went to the mound to talk to closer Brody Casteel, the Cleveland State signee regrouped and struck out the next Mustangs on three straight looking strikes. The final out came on a ground ball for a fielder's choice.
"Brody needed to take a minute and then he finished strong," praised Coach Adams.
Both team knocked out eight hits in the contest, all of which were singles, plus drew a combined 13 free passes. The Mustangs left 13 "ducks on the pond," while the Bears stranded eight.
Herd starting pitcher Cooper Cantrell hand to leave the game with back spasms with one out in the third, not having given up a hit.
Pledge took over and was saddled with the loss after going 3.1 innings, striking out four but allowing four of the Bradley scores.
Four Bear hurlers combined for the victory with Brew tossing the first three frame, before Alomar took over for two. Bryan College signee Josh Leek pitched the sixth inning to earn the win, while Casteel shut the door in the seventh for his fifth save of the season.
