Wildcats rally past Tigers

Nevada pitcher Bradey Denney prepares to throw to first after fielding a bunt by Harrisonville's Kenny Baker, who runs to first on the play. A four-run lead was not enough for Nevada, as the Wildcats defeated the Tigers 5-4 on Wednesday afternoon. Jason Peake/Daily Mail photos

By Jason Peake

Daily Mail Sports Editor

HARRISONVILLE -- The Nevada Tigers were three outs away from setting a new school record.

Nevada shortstop Grant Wolfe throws to first on Wednesday.

But the Harrisonville Wildcats didn't cooperate.

The host Wildcats rallied for five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning and knocked off Nevada 5-4 in high school baseball action on Wednesday, spoiling the Tigers' attempt at making history.

A win would have given the Tigers a new school record for victories in a season.

Bubba Banes makes a catch in right field.

But on Wednesday, it was not meant to be.

"You have to tip your hat to Harrisonville," Nevada Coach Marty Atnip said. "They got the hits they needed."

Nevada led 4-0 as the Wildcats came to bat in the bottom of the seventh.

Easton Mitchell throws to first after fielding a grounder vs. Harrisonville.

But Harrisonville scored five runs on six hits to earn the come-from-behind walk-off victory. Nevada staring pitcher Bradey Denney had limited the Wildcats to just three hits in the first six innings. But the hosts, who were celebrating Senior Day, got the bats going with the game on the line.

Denney hit Landon Hern to start the bottom of the seventh inning and Logan Teal then doubled to left. After an out, Kenny Baker hit a two-run single to left, making it 4-2. Brett Bearden followed with an RBI double to make it a one-run game.

At that point, Atnip took Denney out and replaced him with Grant Wolfe.

Alex Payne gets a fist bump from Danny Penn at first after hitting an RBI single.

After the game, Atnip admitted he may have left Denney in a bit too long.

"I think it was one pitch too late," Atnip said of replacing Denney. "I talked to the coaching staff and we decided to leave him in for one more batter. We rolled the dice. I probably should have taken him out one pitch earlier."

After Denney left, Tanner Foerschler greeted Wolfe by slapping a single. Mitchell Haug followed that up with a game-tying RBI single up the middle.

Harrisonville turns a double play.

Wolfe struck out Ben Teter for the second out. That brought up Marcus Roberg. Down to his last strike, Roberg hit a chopper past third base that allowed the game-winning run to score. The Wildcats celebrated the walk-off victory while the Tigers exited the field with their heads down.

"They got the big hits at the right time," Atnip said of the Wildcats. "They had quality at-bats up there."

With the loss, Nevada slips to 15-8. The Tigers tied the school record for wins in a season on Tuesday at McDonald County.

Before the seventh, the Tigers were clearly the better team.

Nevada got on the board in the second against Bearden. Cory Kerbs doubled to left and then Bubba Banes slapped an RBI single to left to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead. The score held up until the sixth when the Tigers extended the lead.

Lane Ketterman walked and swiped second. After Easton Mitchell walked, Cole Sanderson flew out, but Ketterman went to third. Next, Alex Payne lined an RBI single to left to make it 2-0. Harrisonville's Bearden was replaced by Roberg. After Kerbs was retired, Banes hit an RBI single to center for a 3-0 lead. Wolfe followed with an RBI single of his own, giving Nevada a 4-0 lead.

The Wildcats failed to score in the sixth, and Nevada failed to score in the top of the seventh. Of course, Harrisonville rallied for five runs in the bottom half to pull off the win.

Denney allowed nine hits and two walks in six-and-a third on the bump.

Banes drove in two runs on two hits. As a team, the Tigers had six hits in the game.

Harrisonville improves to 5-14 on the season.

Solid defense

Despite the loss, Atnip said he was pleased with his team's defense.

"We made a lot of good plays in the field," he said. "And Bradey threw well for the most part."

Ketterman made a diving catch in center and Banes made a nice catch near the fence in right.

Strange plays

The game featured a few odd plays.

Harrisonville threatened to score in the second with Roberg on third and two outs. Roberg tried to steal home, but Teal fouled off the pitch. Nevada catcher Sanderson was called for interference and Teal went to first. The Harrisonville coaches argued that Roberg should have been allowed to score, but eventually, after a discussion, he had to go back to third. Ketterman made a diving catch on Thaddeus Messer's fly ball for the final out that likely saved two runs.

In the fourth, Nevada's Payne walked and attempted to steal second. But Kerbs struck out and Payne was called out on the play, as the umpire said Kerbs got in the catcher's way by stepping too far in front of the plate as he threw to second.

The Wildcats had a chance to score in the fifth, but Messer got himself caught in a rundown between third and home after failing to tag up properly on a fly ball out. Messer was eventually tagged out by Kerbs on a play the hosts should have easily scored on.

Close losses

Five of Nevada's eight losses this season have been by one run.

"We've got to learn how to win the close ones," Atnip said. "I'm really hoping this loss will be a wake-up call for the boys."

Next: District tourney

The Tigers will begin the Class 3, District 13 Tournament on Monday, May 14 at Clinton with a 6 p.m. game with El Dorado Springs.

"El Do's going to come after us and they will be ready to play us on Monday," Atnip said. "We need to be ready to play."