Central baseball team topples Jackson in extra-inning thriller

One timely hit proved to be the difference in Tuesday's SEMO Conference baseball game at Central High School.

With the game tied, Brock Baugher scored on a single into left field from Chase Hagerty, giving Central a 3-2 walk-off victory in 11 innings over Jackson.

Central coach Tatum Kitchen was pleased to see his players stay composed late in the game.

"We had to have a good performance today," Kitchen said. "Regardless of our record, we always come into the game expecting that we're the best team around. The reality is we've played a very tough schedule, but we've also struggled. So it was a huge game for us to try to turn around, get going and just keep moving in a positive direction."

Baugher reached base in the 11th after getting hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a wild pitch before Hagerty, who finished 3 for 5, provided the game-winning hit.

Hagerty was also the counterpart of a nine-inning pitching duel to start the game. The senior right-handed hurler allowed four hits and had 11 strikeouts and two walks, while Jackson starter Michael Houchin gave up five hits and recorded 10 strikeouts and one walk.

"With those two coming in, they're going to throw strikes. They're going to change speeds," Kitchen said. "... I thought Houchin was throwing as good in the eighth and ninth as he was in the first and second."

Hagerty was relieved by senior catcher Josh Morse in the 10th inning. Morse pitched the final two innings, allowed one hit and had two strikeouts and no walks to earn his first win of the season.

"I'm always leery of bringing a catcher in to pitch at the end of the game just because their legs are tired, especially when he's caught for nine innings. He was outstanding," Kitchen said about Morse. "He threw strikes and changed speeds, which is high school baseball. If you can do that, you're going to be successful. He did an excellent job. You love being able to bring a quality senior into the game in a big moment, and he did an oustanding job keeping us right at bay."

After Jackson (12-4, 4-1) took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning, Central (4-8, 2-1) moved ahead in the bottom of the frame when Hagerty hit a two-run single to put the Tigers on top 2-1.

The Indians answered in the top of the sixth. Jon Schumer singled and advanced to second on a passed ball before Wyatt Eldridge doubled to left-center field to tie the game at 2-2.

"It was a great timely hit," Jackson coach Bryan Austin said. "That was a situation we've been in before. We've had a couple extra-inning baseball games. We've had some games that came down to the last inning, and our kids are comfortable in that spot, so they're coming up with some confidence."

Austin said he expected Tuesday's affair to be low scoring.

"Our goal was to score runs early and try to compete with the bats. We know what we're going to get out of the pitcher that was on the mound," Austin said about Hagerty, a Southeast Missouri State signee. "He's a dominant right-handed pitcher, and we battled him. But we've got to battle a little better. We can't have 13 strikeouts and expect to win baseball games. ... A base hit here or there, and that ballgame could have went either way. It was a fantastic game."

Gavin Turner allowed two hits in the final two innings and took the loss for Jackson. He had three strikeouts and no walks and hit one batter.

"Gavin's an excellent pitcher. He gave up one hit, and they scored on it. That happens. Next time it could go the opposite way for us," Austin said. "The leadoff hitter got on due to a hit by pitch on a curveball, and then he moved to second base on a ball in the dirt. They did a great job of baserunning, and then the next guy up had a big day for them. He hit a single into left field. It was a tough ball for our left fielder with the wet conditions.

"It was a tough play for him to make, and we just came out on the short end of the stick."

Kitchen hopes Tuesday's victory can propel his team as the season progresses.

"I think it bodes very well for us with what we're capable of," Kitchen said. "We can do it. We've just got to be prepared. ... We're getting better, and we're just looking forward to building towards May. Hopefully we're playing our best baseball by then."

Jackson 000 101 000 00 -- 2 5 2

Central 000 200 000 01 -- 3 7 0

WP -- Josh Morse, 1-1. LP -- Gavin Turner. 2B -- Wyatt Eldridge (J), Ryan Tegel (C), J.D. Harding (C). Multiple hits -- Jackson: Jon Schumer 2-5, Eldridge 2-5; Central: Chase Hagerty 3-5, Tegel 2-4.