Calhoun City appeared in position for a sweep Thursday night leading 4-1 after five innings, but a disastrous sixth and seventh will force the Wildcats to return to Hatley tonight for game seven.
Jordan England celebrates a two-run double in the first inning.
The Tigers rallied for a 15-4 win in Calhoun City to even the series at one. First pitch for the deciding game tonight is scheduled for 6 p.m.
“We have to handle adversity better than we did last night,” Calhoun City Coach Josh Miller said. “We have a three run lead with six outs out to get and they score four. We are only down one run with two innings to hit and our kids just kind of hung their head a little.”
Calhoun City was in control most of Thursday night. Starter Evan Parker held Hatley to only one run in five innings of work.
He was given a lead in the first when Kemon Hall and Jo Gray both singled and then were driven home by a Jordan England double. England would finish with three hits in the game.
They stretched the lead to 4-1 in the fifth when Gray, England and Jace Leachman loaded the bases with three singles. Chakel Gates then hit a grounder that scored two runs after a Hatley error.
Coach Miller turned to his Ace Leachman, who earned the save in game one, for the sixth, but things fell apart from there. Four singles, a walk and an error by the Wildcat defense plated four runs for the visitors. Gray entered in relief of Leachman and struck out two straight batters to get the Wildcats out of the inning down 5-4.
But things would get worse in the seventh when Hatley would put up 10 runs. Gray, England and McGreger Lee all pitched in the inning for the Wildcats.
“I hope last night was a learning experience that helps us out tonight,” Miller said. “Which ever team handles the pressure the best tonight will win.”
Tonight’s winner will advance to the North Half semifinals against Eupora, who completed a two game sweep of Mantachie Thursday night.
In the other side of the bracket, Baldwyn defeated East Webster 7-2 Thursday to take a 1-0 series lead. Strayhorn and East Union are tied in their series 1-1.