Last Gasp: Portageville rallies past Van Buren in Class 2 Sectional

VAN BUREN, Mo. — Call it destiny, call it luck, call it an unbelievable turn of events. 

Whether it be deemed fate or fortune, Portageville's improbable 3-1 victory over Van Buren in the Class 3 Sectional Round on Monday, May 20 will be a story told and retold for years to come.

“We were dead to rights, no doubt about it,” said Portageville coach Tyler Trover. “No matter what happens the rest of the way, this is the game that people are going to talk about for a long time. That’s how special it was. We were blessed with a miracle today. It can happen but we have to be a little bit better. We caught a break, now we have to take care of business the rest of the way.”

With two outs in the top of the seventh inning, third-ranked Portageville’s (29-7) season hung by a thread.

But a flicker of hope emerged when Huston Partin reached first base on an infield single up the middle. Xayvion Bogan and Aaron Dunlap then drew walks, loading the bases for Mason Adams, the Missouri High School record holder for triples in a career.

“It was a huge moment for [Huston Partin],” Trover said. “We took a couple of tough at-bats to roll it back over. [Xayvion Bogan and Aaron Dunlap] were patient, looking for pitches in the zone.”

Fans held their breath, their collective hopes rising and falling with each swing of the bat as Van Buren (19-8) clung to a 1-0 lead.

On the first pitch, Adams took a fastball high, working the count to 1-0.

Then, with his front foot planted, he unleashed a blistering line drive down the right field line, the ball finding the corner and rolling towards the wall. All three runners came home, and Portageville erupted in celebration as Adams safely reached second base.

“It was an incredibly special moment for him and our team,” Trover said. “The way we fought through it. It was a special moment.”

The thrill of victory, however, was tempered by the reality of the moment: Portageville still needed to secure three outs in the bottom of the seventh inning to seal the win. The challenge rested on the shoulders of Adams, who was visibly winded after his heroic hit.

"I went out and visited him on the mound before the inning even started because he was still breathing heavily," Trover said. "That [hit] was such a big moment for him. He got to third base and he was hyperventilating, so we got a runner for him, but the inning was over pretty quickly."

Trover knew Adams needed time to recover.

“He was still breathing pretty hard when he was throwing his warmup pitches,” Trover said. "I went out there and told him that I was only out there to let him catch a breather."

Adams looked at his coach and smiled, gratefully accepting the pause. 

"Thanks coach," he said, "I needed it real bad."

To give Adams more time, Trover employed a tactic, "I told him I was going to stay out there until the umpire came and got me. That way he could relax and focus."

The strategy worked. Once Adams caught his breath, he returned to his usual form, mixing his pitches effectively and relying on his defense. 

"Fortunately, we made the plays at the end that mattered," Trover said.

Adams earned the win after pitching the final three innings, allowing one unearned run on no hits with one strikeout and one walk. 

Beau-Hunter Warren started the game for Portageville, throwing the first four innings and allowing no runs on one hit with three strikeouts and three walks.

“Van Buren coach Jacob Nickelson had his kids ready to play today,” Trover said. “Brady Smith was really good for them, just dominant. He had every pitch working in the zone. He proved a lot today in terms of his moxy and toughness.” 

Portageville’s improbable victory secures them a spot in the Class 3 quarterfinals, against No. 5 Chaffee (24-4) on Wednesday, May 24. The is scheduled to be played at 11 a.m. at either Chaffee or Capaha Park in Cape Girardeau. 

“It’s another tradition-rich program with an excellent pitcher on the mound,” Trover concluded. “It’s going to be another dogfight.”

__PORTAGEVILLE 3, VAN BUREN 1__

P’Ville 000 000 3 — 3 5 2

V. Buren 000 001 0 — 1 1 1

W—Mason Adams. L—Benjamin Hawkins. 2B—Portageville: Carson Bradley, Adams.