Talan McDaniel's relief heroics propel Squirrels to Babe Ruth World Series quarterfinal win

Aycorp's Levi McKinnie flexes to the dugout after hitting a triple during an August 14, 2024 Babe Ruth World Series game between the Aycorp Fighting Squirrels and the Altoona, Pennsylvania, at Capaha Field in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Aycorp defeated Altoona, 12-11.

Cole Lee ~ clee@semoball.com

In a win-or-go-home quarterfinal situation, the Aycorp Fighting Squirrels’ frenzied run to a world championship continued with a fiery 12-11 win over division-rival Altoona on Wednesday night.

Opening up with a five-run first inning, something which has been a hallmark of this year’s Squirrels World Series squad, coach Michael Minner’s squad jumped in front early.

But it didn’t come without a fight. Altoona stormed back to take the lead with two runs in the second and another four in the third, jumping in front at 6-5.

But commandeered by a three-run response in the third, and led to the finish line by the magnificent Talan McDaniel in long relief, the Squirrels got it done to punch their ticket to the final four.

“You know, there are four teams left, and we're one of them,” Minner said. “Nothing's ever easy. They're competitive, they're a good baseball team. The top of their order is really good. They swing the bats.

“We dodged a bullet tonight and we got out of here. All it's about is winning and getting to tomorrow.”

This year, Aycorp’s put 23 runs across in the first inning alone across five games, and with Will Green and Owen Osborne getting on board early, an extra-base hit from Brady Swims, again, got them aboard in a hurry.

The Squirrels are averaging 4.6 runs per game in the first inning alone – one-and-a-half more runs than they’ve even allowed in a full game this tournament.

The spark plug energy at the top of the lineup has jolted this squad forward for a monstrous momentum boost, helping the Nuts to an unscathed 5-0 record entering the final day of the 2024 Babe Ruth World Series.

If anything’s been the difference between last year and this year, it’s been the quick-start energy of the Squirrels, and it’s propelled them all the way to a semifinal berth.

Not just that, but also a guarantee of playing under the lights in a Thursday medal game, whether it shines gold, silver or bronze.

“Obviously you want to go out and have good at-bats early in the game,” Minner said. “We've been locked in from the beginning. It's a hell of a lot better to play with a five-run lead than it is to be down.”

In need of someone to take the ball and carry the load down the stretch, McDaniel took the ball in the third inning, immediately forced a double play on one pitch and handled it the rest of the way.

Jumping into a high-pressure situation, the recent Greenville graduate stepped into some big shoes but carried the Squirrels to the win despite the circumstances.

Pitching from the third through the sixth, McDaniel finished his day with 3.2 innings pitched and just one hit surrendered, taking over to help Aycorp ice the win.

With two early outs from Bennett Logan and a final groundout forced by Bryant Gunn, the Squirrels solidified the victory to make their final four official.

After pitching a relief inning tomorrow, Minner risked the possibility of making the 18-year-old unavailable after a 12-2 win over Holland Henson the night before.

And yet, here the Squirrels are: Two wins from their second-ever World Series title and celebrating a second win in three days against a gritty Altoona squad.

“He was phenomenal tonight, and normally we'd let him finish,” Minner said. “We might need him tomorrow for a righty-righty matchup. We might need him to come in and give us an inning or two, because he's been really good on the mound for us.”

Swims and the similarly-named Brady Smith each hit twice in the middle order, while Levi McKinnie and Jack Evans each hit twice at the bottom of the lineup.

Evans, who’s struggled at times at the plate this World Series, became the unlikely hero as the recent Notre Dame graduate slugged for three singles and a game-high three RBIs.

The win clinches a spot in a 10 a.m. Thursday semifinal between the Squirrels and No. 5 Kelso out of Washington, fresh off one of the best upsets that we’ve seen all tournament.

Knocking off No. 4 Manassas, it might not read as much of an upset seedwise, but that Manassas squad could have easily been a top seed had it not dropped a tight contest to the Squirrels.

Though Aycorp enters with a four-seed advantage in the playoff bracket, Kelso’s got some momentum and the Squirrels are coming off being pushed up on their heels against the Pennsylvanians.

With the option of pitching either Levi McKinnie or Peyton Hodges in the semis, saving one or the other for the championship game, Minner’s presented a great opportunity to save his arms for the big stage.

Against one of the best squads in America, traveling more than 30 hours to get to the City of Roses for this tournament, the visitors from the Evergreen State have already shown they won’t bow out easily.

But for the Squirrels, they’re welcoming the opportunity ahead of a potential berth in the World Series title game later that day.

“We've watched them play a little bit,” Minner said. “I know they're gritty. They're tough. Anybody can beat you.”

Then, Minner spoke to the people at home, asking for one last favor with international bragging rights on the line.

“I'm giving you permission to take off work tomorrow,” Minner said to the common man. “We've worked our tails off to put on this show, and Southeast Missouri needs to be here to shine for these young men.”