NMC squeezes by Jackson in thriller

Sunday, July 10, 2011

CHARLESTON -- What looked to be a costly missed sign in extra innings against Jackson on Friday turned into a big break for New Madrid County as the two Senior Babe Ruth teams squared off on the second day of the Woodpecker Classic.

New Madrid County pitcher Chris Pavy delivers a pitch on Friday during the Woodpecker Classic at Hillhouse park in Charleston. (Chris Pobst, Staff)

After fighting back from a late two-run deficit to force an eighth inning, New Madrid County started out in the bottom of the frame working runners to second and third with two outs before Eric Holloway stepped in with a chance to close things out.

Misunderstanding his coaches sign, however, Holloway laid down a bunt that rolled toward the pitcher for what appeared would be the final out of the inning.

Luckily for New Madrid County, Jackson's first baseman was unable to handle the pitchers throw, leaving Holloway safe at first as Chris Pavy easily scored from third for the winning run to end the game 7-6.

"I was suppose to take, but I thought I was suppose to bunt," Holloway said. "Glad it worked out."

Added New Madrid County coach Kevin Lyons, "We were extremely lucky. Sometimes you win with luck."

The run capped a New Madrid County comeback that had started two innings prior when they entered the bottom of the sixth trailing 6-4. Starting a two-run rally, Eric Simmons led off the inning with a single before a Pavy walk shortly after left runners on first and third with one out.

Simmons was able to score when the catcher tried to throw Pavy out stealing second with Pavy coming around himself in the same at bat when Mason Kellams hit a line drive to center field to tie the game 6-6.

Coming back up in the seventh, New Madrid County looked primed to score the winning run an inning early as they pushed runners to second and third with one out.

It was Jackson starter, Alex Beussink, striking out the last two batters in New Madrid County's order that forced an eighth and final inning.

"We got a good start to the inning, but we've struggled at the bottom of the lineup and that continued today," Lyons said.

An inning before New Madrid County's sixth inning comeback it was a three-run rally by Jackson that had given them their first lead of the night.

Coming into the fifth trailing 4-3, Jackson was able to tie the game on a single by Jesse Schott before scoring on a wild pitch and a single by Matt Stueve to take a 6-4 advantage.

Finishing the game with 11 hits, New Madrid County was led by Kellams who went 3 for 4 on the contest with two runs batted in while scoring a run.

Pavy and Holloway had two hits each, including a double by Pavy, while Caden Robbins had an RBI double to cap a three-run rally by New Madrid County in the first inning.

Besides scoring the game-winning run, Pavy also picked up the win on the mound. Coming to replace starter Jansen Darst in the fifth, Pavy went 3 2/3 innings allowing one run on three hits and a walk while earning one strikeout.

"I got in a few jams, but my defense helped me out," Pavy said. "Darst made a diving catch in centerfield (late in the game) and it just pumped me up."

Going all eight innings, Beussink took the loss for Jackson. He allowed all seven runs on 11 hits and three walks while striking out six.

On offense Jackson had 10 hits with Trent Steffens leading the way going 3 for 4 at the plate while Stueve and Jon Winkler each had a pair of hits.

A day after beating the Bardwell Ky. Bats 10-8 on the opening day of the Woodpecker Classic, Jackson coach Paul Sander was disappointed to see his team take a step in the wrong direction.

"It's just the tale of two teams all year long and I don't know the answer to it," Sander said. "We can play extremely well like we did (against Bardwell) or we can play like we couldn't beat anybody and that's how we played."

Jackson 101 130 00 - 6

New Madrid County 301 002 01 - 7

WP -- Chris Pavy. LP -- Alex Beussink. 2B -- (N) Chris Pavy. 3B -- (N) Caden Robbins.

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