By Tyler F. Thompson (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
FAIR GROVE — It just wasn’t Gavin Thomason’s night.
On the bump, that is.
Offensively, it absolutely was Thomason’s night, as the sophomore sent his Fair Grove Eagles (25-5) to the 7-6 come-from-behind win over visiting Ava with his eighth-inning, one-out sacrifice fly to plate Macklen Johnson for the Class 3 District 10 championship Tuesday evening at Fair Grove.
“We never doubt each other. Just one man at a time. We just pass the torch, keep it going,” said Thomason, who had two crucial hits down the stretch.
Thomason went 3 2/3, allowing five runs.
“For the most part he has been really good off the mound,” Eagles skipper William Reed said of Thomason. “He is a really talented hitter, as well. Ava did a really great job off him offensively early on. He has been in some big games. He knows you have to stay the course. He had several big at-bats there to get us going.”
For the Eagles, “Believe” has been the centerpiece to the 25-win season.
“I don’t know if it has done anything, but our theme this year has been ‘believe,’” said Reed. “Believe in ourselves, believe in the team, believe in our goals and what we can accomplish. I was just telling myself that — to believe until the very end.”
A walk-off win never disappoints, sure.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
But to do it after trailing 5-0 in the top of the fourth is something else.
And to do it after netting back-to-back two-out walks is something that is unbeknownst to many.
“The kids got some guys on, and it was contagious,” said Reed.
Earlier in the tilt, the Eagles found themselves down 6-3 with three outs to go in the seventh.
Ava skipper Weston Loftin went to his bullpen for the sixth, seventh and eighth innings, which contrasted in speed and style to the Bears’ starter, freshman Garrett Richards, who flat-out dealt.
The Eagles, though, made the adjustments.
After the first two Eagles hitters came up short, Thomason drilled the single in the seventh, setting the table for the walk-off.
Jakoeby McDannald drove in Thomason, cutting the deficit to 6-4.
Nolen Geitz drove in McDannald, and the Eagles were within one run with one out to go, 6-5.
Seeing how the strike zone couldn’t continuously be found, Brock Boatwright drew the base on balls, as did the ensuing hitter, Kellan Kirkpatrick.
With the bases juiced, Brock Bruner drew the free pass, knotting the tilt up 6-6 in the bottom of the seventh.
After Spensar Seiger — who pitched one inning of relief one night prior in the Eagles’ 6-5 semifinals win over Seymour — closed the book on the Bears in the eighth, the stage was set.
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO OF THE GAME
“We got some momentum. Being the home team was nice. We have been in some extra-inning games this year, [but] this was the first time we were the home team,” said Reed. “It was nice to get that walk-off-fashion.”
Plate discipline was vital to the win, and Reed said that has been one intangible that has suited the team well.
As the game went deeper and deeper, the swings out of the zone reduced.
Said Reed: “All year we have done a pretty good job of not chasing a lot of pitches with a tight zone. They did a good job of just grinding things out.”
Seiger was credited with the win.
Ava’s Richards allowed three runs in 5 1/3 innings.
Kennon Pitts allowed three runs.
The Eagles now prepare for the Licking-Thayer winner at the Class 3 sectionals, which is May 27.
