SECTIONAL DRAMA; Owls snare dramatic walk-off victory to continue season at 2A state tournament

By Terry Collins Courier Sports

CARTHAGE — The Smith County High Owls baseball team squared off against Westmoreland for the third straight day with the winner of last Friday’s game making the Class 2A state tournament while the loser’s season would end.

The Owls had won the first game by a final score of 11-3 while the Eagles soared to a 3-2 victory in game two. 

In dramatic fashion, Smith Co. grabbed its sixth state tournament berth with a 7-6 victory that went to the bottom of the seventh inning with the outcome in doubt.

“Oh my gosh, that was an absolute war right there,” said Smith County head coach Malone Smith.  “Tip of the cap to Westmoreland, those guys are ultimate competitors and they gave us all we wanted. It resulted in a great baseball game.”

Smith continued, “They went up 4-0, we began chipping away and got guys on base. We scored a run, we worked and got bases loaded. Max (Long) hits a grand slam that really got us going and got us up a run. He has had a clutch bat all year. We got some clutch walks and hits at the end to get the win. It was an excellent game by everybody.”

The Eagles scored two runs in the top of the seventh to take a 6-5 lead as the Owls rallied in the bottom half of the inning. 

A Morgan Sinclair double, a groundout and a Cole Hackett double tied the game at six-all while Max Long walked to set up the game-winning play. Ethan Montgomery singles to score C. Hackett with one out and land Smith Co. in the Class 2A state tournament which they achieved two years ago.

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