PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. ó Ellington runs the bases with a two-base mentality, meaning runners always want to stay aggressive and try to get an extra base out of every play.
That approach sent the Whippets to the MSHSAA Class 2 quarterfinals on Monday.
Trailing 4-3 in the bottom of the seventh against Portageville, Dalton Buckner was down to his last strike with two outs. He drove a hard ground ball to the Bulldogs shortstop, who bobbled the ball.
The bobble gave Buckner time to safely reach first base and score Kaleb Richards from third base. On the throw to first, Garett Morris rounded third and sprinted home. He beat the tag by a split second and slid across the plate to give Ellington a 5-4 walk-off win.
Ellington celebrates after Garett Morris scored a walk-off run to beat Portageville in a MSHSAA Class 2 sectional on Monday, May 20 in Portageville.DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC/Nate Fields
Will Copeland celebrates after hitting a double during a MSHSAA Class 2 sectional against Portageville on Monday, May 20 in Portageville.DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC/Nate Fields
Kaleb Richards delivers a pitch during a MSHSAA Class 2 sectional against Portageville on Monday, May 20 in Portageville.DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC/Nate Fields
Portageville celebrates after Jared Crafton hit a home run in the second inning of a MSHSAA Class 2 sectional against Ellington on Monday, May 20 in Portageville.DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC/Nate Fields
Jared Crafton, left, and Portageville coach Tyler Trover celebrate after Crafton hit a home run during a MSHSAA Class 2 sectional against Ellington on Monday, May 20 in Portageville.DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC/Nate Fields
Ellington celebrates after Garett Morris scored a walk-off run to beat Portageville in a MSHSAA Class 2 sectional on Monday, May 20 in Portageville.DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC/Nate Fields
Ellington celebrates after Garett Morris scored a walk-off run to beat Portageville in a MSHSAA Class 2 sectional on Monday, May 20 in Portageville.DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC/Nate Fields
Ellington celebrates after Garett Morris scored a walk-off run to beat Portageville in a MSHSAA Class 2 sectional on Monday, May 20 in Portageville.DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC/Nate Fields
Jared Crafton, right, flips the ball to Gabe Hughes during a MSHSAA Class 2 sectional against Ellington on Monday, May 20 in Portageville.DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC/Nate Fields
CJ Kelley, left, tries to tag Kaleb Richards during during a MSHSAA Class 2 sectional on Monday, May 20 in Portageville.DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC/Nate Fields
Will Copeland throws the ball to first base during a MSHSAA Class 2 sectional against Portageville on Monday, May 20 in Portageville.DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC/Nate Fields
Garett Morris catches a fly ball during a MSHSAA Class 2 sectional against Portageville on Monday, May 20 in Portageville.DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC/Nate Fields
Nolan Heady swings at a pitch during a MSHSAA Class 2 sectional against Portageville on Monday, May 20 in Portageville.DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC/Nate Fields
Gabe Hughes throws the ball to first base as he's falling down during a MSHSAA Class 2 sectional against Ellington on Monday, May 20 in Portageville.DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC/Nate Fields
Jared Crafton throws a pitch during a MSHSAA Class 2 sectional against Ellington on Monday, May 20 in Portageville.DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC/Nate Fields