Menu
Holcomb's late rally help the team advance to Tri-County Championship
GIDEON, Mo. - It was a slow start for the number one seeded Holcomb Hornets as they faced Gideon in the semi final game of the Tri-County Fall Baseball Tournament.
Despite being down 2-0 through six innings, the Hornets were able to find a rhythm late in play and beat the Bulldogs. The final score was 7-2, pushing Holcomb to play in the Championship match on Wednesday, Oct 2.
The spark came in the fifth inning, when Holcomb had the bases loaded and junior Jaxten Pikey hit a ball to right field. This allowed two runners to make it home, tying the game as two runs a piece.
An error by Gideon sent the ball out of play, resulting in the umpire giving Holcomb another advancement. This put the Hornets up 3-2 in the fifth inning. After another run scored by Junior Bryce McNabb, Holcomb were leading the Bulldogs 4-2 heading into the final two innings.
Another good hit by Keaton Cunningham, also a junior, gave the Hornets three more runs in the sixth inning. This hit helped secure the comeback victory and advance the Hornets to the championship round.
The difference maker was found in McNabb, who held the Bulldogs hitless through the fifth and sixth innings. He pitched four strikeouts in only two innings.
He was proud to hold Gideon to only two runs, but he hopes to see improvements from himself and his team heading into the championship game.
“It was a pretty good game defensively,” McNabb said. “Offensively, we need to come out more aggressive. Stop striking out looking and put the ball in play more. Once we put the ball in play, it let up.”
Along with his work from the mound, McNabb recorded one hit and one run. Pikey led offensively with two hits, one run and one RBI. Cunningham also had three RBI’s off of one hit.
For Gideon, Landon Weaver helped keep the game close through the first four innings. He had six strikeouts while pitching through six innings. and prevented the Hornets from making it on base until the fifth inning.
Brayden Knapp led offensively with three hits and one complete trip around the base. He scored four runs in two games during the Tri-County tournament. Along with Knapp, Carson “Drake” Grissom had two hits, one run and one RBI.
With this win, Holcomb will face off against the number two seeded Risco Tigers in the championship game.
“This win felt great,” McNabb said. “Now we get to play tomorrow and hopefully we win a championship.”
Risco was able to outlast Cooter and advance to the championship round. They beat the Wildcats 7-3.
The Championship round will be played at Gideon on Oct. 2. The first pitch will be at 4 p.m.