CHARLESTON, Tenn. -- In a possible Region 3 preview, county rivals Bradley Central and Walker Valley locked horns at Mike Turner Field Friday with an exciting late rally making the difference.
After five innings of a classic pitcher's duel, the District 6-4A champion Bears exploded to get their goose egg off the scoreboard and claimed a 4-1 tally, notching their seventh 20-win record in the past eight seasons.
For Walker Valley (14-16), the No.
2 seed for the District 5-4A Tournament, it was their sixth straight outing against a state-ranked team, half of which they defeated.
Both teams will wrap up the regular season at the first of the week with Bradley (20-7) traveling to the University of the South-Sewanee to take on Lincoln County Monday.
The Mustangs will welcome top-ranked (DII-AA) Baylor (20-4) Tuesday.
Bryan College signee Josh Leek gave up two of his three hits in a six-inning performance in the bottom of the first, allowing Walker Valley to break the ice.
Carson-Newman signee Braxton Smith opened the at bat with an opposite field single and stole second base before classmate Conner Phillips knocked him in with a bloop single that dropped between a trio of converging Bears.
Leek and Mustang senior lefty Titus Torbett didn't allow another score until the fateful top of the sixth.
Torbett gave an opening inning single to Jaxon Humble, but he was erased with a double play. The only other Bear to reach base was UTC football signee Luke Keith with a two-out walk in the fourth frame.
After his fourth 1-2-3 inning in the fifth frame, Torbett "nicked" Bradley senior Teigan Cassada before Lee University signee Alex Brew dropped down a perfect bunt for a single.
Humble then "took one for the team" to load the sacks before Keith ripped a double down the left-field line to score three runs. Cassada and Brew came in on the hit, while Humble complete the circle after a throwing error on the play, which allowed Keith to get to third base.
Bear sophomore Tyler Cook followed with a sac fly to drive him in after a very tough over the head catch by Phillips in right field, on which he was injured and had to leave the game.
Leek finished off his six innings on the hill by setting the Herd down in order, leaving the game having allowed just three hits and two walks in the winning effort.
Despite giving up back-to-back two-hits to the Smith brothers — Braxton and Jordan — Cleveland State signee Brody Casteel sealed the victory to pick up his program record eighth save on the season.
Torbett took the tough loss despite allowing just the three hits, striking out a half dozen and issuing a trio of free passes.
Braxton Smith tossed the final frame for the host with one Bear getting on base with the second 'Stang error of the night.
Game Summary
Friday, April 26
at Mike Turner Field
Bradley Central 000 004 0 — 4 3 1
Walker Valley 100 000 0 — 1 5 2
Leek, Casteel (7) and Stott; Torbett, B. Smith (7) and J. Smith.
WP Leek. LP: Torbett.
Records: Bradley Central 20-7; Walker Valley 14-16.
(Email Joe Cannon at joe.cannon@clevelandbanner.com)