C3D1: East Prairie shocks NMCC with late-game heroics

MALDEN, Mo. — Down but not out, East Prairie staged a stunning comeback over New Madrid County Central, snatching a 7-6 victory from the jaws of defeat in the MSHSAA Class 3, District 1 Semifinals on Monday, May 13.

“Our guys never gave up though and we found a way to win it in our last at-bat,” said East Prairie coach Gary Scott. “We caught some breaks on some miscues and took advantage of them. Our young team is having fun and playing for each other. We’re just happy we get to play another day. Hopefully, we have one more in us.”

A wild seventh-inning rally saw East Prairie (18-9) erase a 6-3 deficit and was kickstarted with a clutch single from Owen Knight, scoring Noah Johnson.

Hunter Newton scored on a fielder’s choice by Tate Henderson to cut the lead to 6-5, and Winfield White scored on a bases-loaded walk to deadlock the score 6-6.

The game-winning run came when Henderson scored on an error, securing the improbable victory.

The dramatic finish capped off a rollercoaster game that began with East Prairie drawing first blood in the bottom of the first inning when Johnson scored on a wild pitch and Henderson singled to score Newton.

NMCC (4-18) countered with a run after Ty Williams scored on a passed ball in the top of the second inning.

East Prairie clung to a 3-2 lead after both teams recorded a run in the fourth inning. NMCC scored when Slade Courtois scored on an error and East Prairie answered with Rayne Jerrigan scoring on a sacrifice fly by Jack Pearson.

NMCC surged ahead with four runs in the top of the fifth inning after Brady Swims launched a two-run homer, followed by Courtois’ RBI single and an additional run when Williams scored on the throw, giving the team a 6-3 advantage.

Johnson earned the win on the mound, throwing the final 2.2 innings and allowing no earned runs on one hit with five strikeouts. Knight started the game, allowing four earned runs on six hits with seven strikeouts and two walks over 4.1 innings.

Swims pitched 5.2 innings for NMCC, surrendering three earned runs while striking out eight, while JG Harris took the loss after a difficult final 0.2 innings, allowing two earned runs on three hits.

“We missed out on some opportunities to score more runs early in the game and we allowed Brady Swims to settle in,” Scott said. “He made it tough on us and NMCC played a great game. They were ready for us.”\

East Prairie will take on Caruthersville (17-9) for the district championship on Wednesday, May 15 at 4:30 p.m.

__EAST PRAIRIE 7, NMCC 6__

NMCC 010 140 0 — 6 7 3

E. Prairie 200 100 4 — 7 5 2

W—Noah Johnson. L—JG Harris. 2B—NMCC: Slade Courtois. HR—NMCC: Brady Swims.