Bears Rally Past Cougars for Title
By Greg Moore
Banner Sports Editor
Butler County came into the 12th District Baseball Tournament as the one-seed and opened with the Trinity Raiders, who consistently play fundamental baseball despite limited numbers needed to field a complete squad. The Bears wasted little time jumping out on the Raiders in support of their ace, junior righty Eli Oaks.
With a controlling 8-0 and 11-3 advantage, the Bears went into a little comfort-mode. A few misplayed balls resulted in the game getting a bit closer than Coach West would have liked. The Raiders made it interesting; however, Thomas Embry came on in relief of Oaks to quieten their noise and hold on for the 15-11 semifinal victory.
The win over Trinity set up a championship game with the Grayson County Cougars, who would get ahead early and for most of the game. However, Butler County overcame the deficit and stayed poised in their quest for a District Championship that has eluded them for many years, dating back to 2019 when they made a miraculous, 10-9 comeback over the Cougars.
Grayson County scored two runs in the first while the Bears managed to push one across the plate in the bottom-half of the second, making it a 2-1 game. Elijah Barrow, who churned out four hits and three RBIs against Trinity, drove in Oaks from third on a grounder between third and short which he legged-out.
After Grayson County scored three runs after what appeared to be an interference that went uncalled, the Bears stayed undeterred in their mindset as southpaw Sam Hyatt was called on in the top of the third with two outs and bases juiced in relief of senior Will Amos, who has performed so well all season on the mound for the Bears.
Oaks, who had three RBIs in the opener, plated Brody Dockery in the bottom of the third when he singled. Oaks would eventually score on a pass ball. On the same pass ball, Mason West raced from second to score, also. The Bears would trail 5-4 after three innings of play.
After the Cougars were capable of scoring two more in the fourth inning, the Bears retaliated when Evan Darsey scored on an RBI-single by Embry, Dockery crossed home on another RBI by Oaks, and Embry scored on a passed ball. The Bears left runners on the corners with only one out, but it was still a new ball game, 7-7, with three more innings to play.
Grayson County got their leadoff on to start the fifth and moved over into scoring position on a successful sac-bunt. After fly out to M.West in center, the Cougars got the hit they needed. However, Dockery, who had two hits and four RBIs against Trinity, showcased his arm once again. The Bears quarterback and right fielder fired a spot-on assist to catcher Cardwell, who was waiting to receive and apply the third out to the potential go-ahead run.
After the Bears went 1-2-3 in the bottom of the fifth, the Cougars threatened with a runner on third with one out in the sixth. But, Hyatt would get a strikeout and a groundout to end the opportunity for Grayson County and open the door for the Bears to take their first lead.
Dockery’s grounder was misplayed and the freshman was aboard as the go-ahead run in the bottom of the sixth. Embry stayed on a breaking pitch and sprinkled another hit to the outfield before Oaks absolutely scorched a ball. Oaks’ line drive went over the left fielder’s head near the fence to drive in Dockery.
Embry and Oaks would both score on a couple grounders by West and Cardwell for some insurance runs. They were not needed as Hyatt got a ground ball to Oaks at third and another Darsey at second before striking out the final batter for the championship.
Butler County will be advancing into the 3rd Region Tournament which will be held in Muhlenberg County. They will be playing another district’s runner-up.
