The Yazoo County Panthers were on the wrong side of a series sweep in their opening round playoff matchup against the Belmont Cardinals.
The Panthers dropped Game 1, 4-0, but were on the brink of forcing a decisive Game 3 before some late-game heorics saved the Cardinals in Game 2, giving them a victory and the series win.
With the score tied at five, Cardinal Brayden Hodum hit a walkoff single to score the game-winning run in a 6-5 decision.
Ironically, the Panthers outhit the Cardinals 12-7 in the game led by John Catlett with three hits.
Parker Barron (double), Ty Leal, and T.J. Rials all had two hits apiece.
Other hitters were Graelan Shaffer, Joshua Snow and Gabe Shaffer with a hit apiece.
Rials was the losing pitcher on the mound.
In Game 1, Barron, Rials and Graelan Shaffer each had a hit.
Said Yazoo County head coach Corbin Ellis, “Considering we went from 4-17 last season and third place, to 15-9 and a district title this year, I would say it (this season) was a successful turnaround.”
“We played solid baseball all weekend, and I was proud of the way my guys responded Saturday. After dropping game one we could have easily folded, but we went up to Belmont and responded with our best game of the year. That just shows the grit my guys have, and that’s what I’m most proud of. We didn’t fold, and we fought to the end.”
