EVENSVILLE — An explosive opening inning was just the start of the show as Walker Valley had to go extra innings to finish the District 5-4A sweep over Rhea County Thursday evening, in Evensville.
"Tonight didn’t start as our best effort. Just came out a little flat at the beginning, then found ourselves in a dogfight," related Herd wrangler Wes Anderson of the 9-5, nine-winning victory.
"'CP' (senior Conner Phillips) threw well in the start and had a big homer to start the game. When we went cold the guys didn’t fold, they stayed with it and scrapped one out.
"That’s the games we gave away earlier in the season. These guys are learning how to win and it showed tonight," he assessed.
"Felipe (Castellanos) has been a dude for us this year. He told the dugout in the ninth that if it gets to him, he’s ending it and he delivered."
The No. 2 seed for the upcoming district tournament, Walker Valley (10-13, 6-3) is schedule to play in the annual Trojan Classic this weekend, weather permitting.
Having won five straight, the Mustangs are to head to Chattanooga Friday evening to battle fourth-ranked (DII-AA) McCallie, before facing No. 20 (4A) Wilson Central Saturday afternoon at Soddy-Daisy and then play the host Trojans as well.
Phillips got the party started with a two-out, two-run blast over the right field wall, bringing home Castellanos, who had walked, as well.
Rhea County (3-17, 0-9) answered with a trio of scores in its first at bat, highlighted by a RBI-double by Caden Houston.
The hosts tacked on solo scores in the third and fifth frames before the Stallions galloped for a 3-spot in the top of the sixth to even things up.
Michael Pledge got the rally going with a walk to open the at bat before back-to-back singles by Titus Torbett and Satchel Cole jammed the sacks. Cole's hit brought in Pledge and Titus was able to score on the same play due to an Eagle error.
A one-out single by Jordan Smith brought in the game-tying run, and with neither team scoring in the seventh, the game went to extra innings.
After a scoreless eighth, Walker Valley circled the base four times in a two-rout rally in the top of the ninth.
Pledge once again set the table with an opening single before Torbett reached on a Rhea miscue. Hayden Harrison then loaded the bases with a one-out walk.
After a pop up notched the second out, it was up to Castellanos, who made good on his proclamation, drilling a line drive to center field to bring in a pair of runs.
Just for good measure by Carson Minnix and Phillips brought in the other two scores before the fun was over.
Although the hosts were able to load the bases in the bottom of the ninth thanks to a trio of two-out free passes, Kellar Stansel was able to strikeout the final batter for the win.
Stansel gave up just one hit in four innings of relief work, striking out seven.
Phillips worked the first five frame on the bump, notching a half dozen Ks, walking a pair and only allowing two earned runs.
Castellanos, Phillips and Minnix each knocked a trio of hits and scored a run. Phillips added a dou ble to his four-bagger and drove in three runs, while Castellanos also drew a walk and plated what turned out to the game-winning run.
For the second straight game, Walker Valley was without Carson-Newman signee Braxton, who is resting a minor injury and is expected to return to the lineup next week.
Game Summary
District 5-4A
Thursday, April 18
at Evensville
Walker Valley  200  003  004 — 9 13 3
Rhea County   301  010  000 — 5  6 5
WP: Kellar Stansel 4 IP, 7 Ks, 3 BB, 1 hit, 0 ER. LP: Cam Riley. HR: Conner Phillips (WV). 2B: Phillips (WV); Caden Houston, Rex Pendergrass (RC). RBI: Phillips 3, Felix Castellanos 2, Satchel Cole, Carson Minnix, Jordan Smith (WV); Houston, Cam Riley (RC). Records: Walker Valley 10-13, 6-3; Rhea County 3-17, 0-9.
