Despite a pair of long rain delays that stretched the game out to almost five hours, the wait was worth it for Ooltewah as the Owls rallied to pull out a 4-3 victory with a couple of runs in the final at bat.
The victory over District 5 runner-up Walker Valley, kept Ooltewah's hopes alive and propelled them into do-or-die game against District 5 champ Cleveland with a TSSAA Sectional berth on the line.
After a pair of scoreless frames to open the contest, Walker Valley (16-20) opened the scoring with a couple of runs in the top of the third before the first rain delay.
Union Commonwealth University signee Cooper Cantrell opened the at bat by reaching on an error, before freshman Zander Neuendorf drew a base on balls.
After Cantrell was erased on a fielder's choice trying to get to third, Hayden Harrison "took one for the team" to load the bases.
Maryville College signee Titus Torbett got a four-pitch walk to plate Neuendorf with the first score.
After a strikeout, Cleveland State signee Jordan Smith was "plunked," which allowed Owen Sneed to trot home.
When play resumed, Ooltewah (22-12) answered two runs of its own with Jackson Riggins and Drew Wood lacing back-to-back singles to start he rally. After a fielder's choice and a walk to Brock Smallen jammed the sacks, Mustang starter Michael Pledge struck out the next batter.
It looked like the Milligan signee was going to get out of the trouble without giving up a run, but the first of a half dozen Herd errors allowed JT Trent and Wood both to race home.
Walker Valley was able to inch back ahead with a solo score when Sneed walked to open the top of the fifth and was bunted to second by Harrison. Back-to-back one-out singles by Ownby and Smith brought Sneed around to the plate for a narrow Herd lead.
The Mustangs maintained the one-run edge until the game's final at bat.
A walk to Gavin Fields and a single by Asa McMillon set the stage before a throwing error on a fielder's choice bunt went down the left field line instead, allowing Fields to score and leaving McMillon and Luke Parr on third and second with no one out.
After a pitching change, the new Herd reliever's first pitch was sent drilled to left field by Caleb Henson to drive in the walk-off game winner.
Wood went 3-for-4 giving him half of the Owls half dozen hits. He also fired the first six innings from the bump, despite the two delays, striking out a half dozen, walking three and plunking one.
With Wood having thrown 115 pitches, Trent came on for the final frame to snatch the pitching victory, despite allowing a hit and a free pass, but striking out one.
GAME SUMMARY
Region 3-4A
Tournament
Elimination Game
Sunday, May 8
at Bill Talley Stadium
Walker Valley 002 010 0 — 3 5 6
Ooltewah 002 000 2 — 4 6 1
WP: JT Trent 1 IP, 1 K, 1 BB, 1 hit, 0 ER. LP: Braxton Davis 3.0 IP, 0 K, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 2 hits, 0 ER. 2B: Brody Ownby (WV); Drew Wood (O). RBI: Jordan Smith 2, Titus Torbett (WV); Caleb Henson (O). RECORDS: Walker Valley 16-20; Ooltewah 22-12.