Holcomb Hornets crowned Tri-County Champs

Holcomb Hornets pose after winning the Tri-County Fall Baseball Tournament.

Photo by Kaelin Triggs, Delta Dunklin Democrat

GIDEON, Mo. - What started off as a slow fall for the Hornets ended with a conference title.

The Holcomb Hornets take down the Risco Tigers to win the Tri-County Fall Baseball Tournament with a 5-1 victory.

Holcomb were the favorites to win as the number one seed despite starting their fall campaign 0-4. Head coach Gary Dubar said it took a lot for him and his team to turn things around and win the Tri-County Conference.

“This was huge,” Dubar said. “It feels really good because this was only the second time we have won this since 2005. Everything we did today was good. Good approaches at the plate, a couple good plays in the field and Bryce [McNabb] dominated from the mound.”

McNabb pitched all seven innings for the Hornets and only allowed one hit. He had 12 strikeouts in the competition to carry his team to the Conference title.

Along with his pitching duties, McNabb had one hit of his own and scored one of Holcomb’s five runs.

McNabb missed the first half of the season due to an injury suffered last winter playing basketball. He missed the first 12 competition this fall but was able to come back just three games before the Conference Tournament

“He’s a big time player for us,” Dubar said. “They cleared him and he came back like he hadn’t missed a beat. First game back, he basically threw a shutout and hit a home run, there’s not much other teams can do to stop him.”

Bryce McNabb only allowed one hit while pitching seven innings against Risco in the Tri-County Conference Championship game.

Photo by Kaelin Triggs, Delta Dunklin Democrat

For McNabb, this moment was special for more than just a conference title.

He battled back from what he thought would be a season ending injury to fight against adversity and challenge nay-sayers. According to McNabb, it felt good to finally call himself a winner.

“I am in shock really,” McNabb said. “I haven’t really won anything before, so I am shocked. I put in the work, had help from my teammates. They are great, I could ask for anyone better than my teammates.”

Risco got the first run against Holcomb in the third inning off of a flawless trip around the bases by Kadin Carlisle. After being walked, he was able to steal second, advance to third on a hit by Sammy Smith and then steal home.

However, Holcomb quickly responded with four runs in the bottom of the third to give them a 4-1 advantage. The spark was led by Holcomb’s Jaxten Pikey who batted in two runners, then again by Kasyn Guijarro who batted in two more runners.

Both Pikey and Guijarro finished with one hit, one run and two RBIs. Samuel Jacobs led the batting side with three total hits.

Next up for both teams is the Fall Baseball tournament which starts on Saturday, Oct. 5.

Risco is the number one seed at the Fall Tournament while Holcomb is the number five seed.

Holcomb will start off facing Senath-Hornersville at Bernie High School. Risco will travel to Campbell to play South Pemiscot.