SportsMay 25, 2023
Owen Roberts’ game-winning RBI secures Portageville’s sectional win over Scott City
PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — It was a game that had everything: drama, suspense, and ultimately, a hero. That hero was Owen Roberts and his game-winning RBI sealed No. 1 Portageville’s 6-5 win over Scott City in a MSHSAA Class 3 Sectional at Meatte Park in Portageville, Missouri on Tuesday, May 23...
By Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat
PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — It was a game that had everything: drama, suspense, and ultimately, a hero.
That hero was Owen Roberts and his game-winning RBI sealed No. 1 Portageville’s 6-5 win over Scott City in a MSHSAA Class 3 Sectional at Meatte Park in Portageville, Missouri on Tuesday, May 23.
“That was probably the best high school game that I’ve ever been a part of,” said Portageville coach Tyler Trover. “It wasn’t that it was the cleanest game, but there were momentum shifts and defensive plays all over the place. It wasn’t perfect but the relentlessness from both sides was impressive. Neither team gave up, kept fighting and played their tail ends off.”
The Bulldogs (33-2) caught the Rams (20-6) off guard with a clever mix of small ball and aggressive base running, taking a 4-0 advantage in the bottom of the first inning without even hitting a ball out of the infield.
Those runs came after Aaron Dunlap scored on an error, Beau Hunter-Warren scored on a fielder’s choice, Trey Benthal scored on a passed ball and Jayquan Bogan singled to score Huston Partin.
“I’m going to describe today in one word, 'Relentless,'" said Hunter-Warren. “We’re out here after hours when no one else is out here. We come out here and grind. It’s a way of life for us. We want it that bad, but it’s not like a job. It’s just a game and we all have fun.”
Portageville widened the lead to 5-0 in the second inning after Dunlap scored after tagging up.
However, the Bulldogs’ bats suddenly went cold after that, allowing Scott City to slowly chip away at the deficit and make a comeback bid.
“It was a tough game,” Hunter-Warren said. “But the good thing about it was that we’ve been there before. We know what it takes to battle back in close games like that even when things aren’t going our way.
The Rams scored one run in the third inning when Holden Miller singled to score Kobe Watson; one run in the fourth inning when Gavin Venable scored on a passed ball; and two runs in the fifth inning when Dalyn Littlepage smashed a two-run homer over left field wall.
“We came out a little unsure and nervous,” said Scott City coach Skylar Cobb. “But you got to be able to hone that in from the beginning. [Portageville] isn’t a team you can spot runs to. Our motto after [the first two innings] was to win every inning after that. That’s what got us back into it. The team did an unbelievable job. Getting down early has been one of the downfalls this year at times, but we hung in there, [Lawson Graff] threw an incredible game and we chipped away by getting some big hits in some big spots. I’m just very proud of the way they battled back against a great team.”
Scott City tied the game 5-5 in the top of the seventh inning after Luke Holder singled to score Gavin Venable.
“That’s our senior leader and there is probably no guy I’d rather have up there,” Cobb said. “[Holder] wants that moment and is a great ballplayer. Those are the moments he lives for. It didn’t surprise me at all. I’m super proud of him to get that hit at that moment when we needed it.”
The Bulldogs made several defensive highlight-reel plays that kept the Rams from fully seizing the momentum, including a web gem by Bogan and a diving catch in the outfield by Connor Jeffries.
Despite the pressure, Portageville refused to buckle, loading the bases with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning. And then, in a moment that seemed to slow down time itself, Roberts stepped up to the plate and delivered the game-winning RBI.
“[Roberts] was in the lineup for the first time in a month and a half,” Trover said. “Yeah, I would have loved to see him lace a ball into the gap, and it be real clean and exciting but he put a good swing on the ball, hit it hard, and made them have to make a play and they didn’t do it.
“That’s what you have to do in high school baseball,” he continued. “You have to put pressure on your opponent and he did that because he wasn’t scared of the moment.”
Roberts had the ultimate opportunity that every baseball player dreams about — and he seized it with all his might.
Receive Daily Headlines FREESign up today!
“It’s an unreal moment for [Roberts],” Hunter-Warren said. “He’s been one of those guys that’s been battling to get in the lineup and he caught his break today. It might not have been his day early, but he came through when we needed him and that’s all that counts.”
The crowd erupted in cheers and Bulldog players rushed onto the field, celebrating and dogpiling on top of Roberts.
“It’s big because of all the work that gets put in at practice,” Roberts said. “The work we put in when nobody is watching came through and showed. We never gave up. The fire kept going and the dugout stayed up all game. Everyone believed in each other and trusted each other. We got the job done.
“It was great,” Roberts continued. “My leg was kind of pinned up on my body and it kind of hurt a little bit but it was a big moment. Now we just have to realize that the job isn’t finished yet and we have more baseball to play.”
Benthal earned the win on the mound after pitching the final inning. He didn’t allow any runs on one hit with one strikeout.
Frakes started the game and threw the first 4.1 innings, allowing three earned runs on six hits with four strikeouts and four walks.
Mason Adams also saw some action on the mound, pitching 2.2 innings and allowing no earned runs on one hit with three strikeouts and one walked batter.
“Our pitching was excellent and our defense was awesome,” Trover said. “[Frakes] did what he was supposed to do and gave us a quality start.
“Credit Scott City because they gave us everything we wanted and more,” he continued. “I can’t say enough how impressive Scott City was today. They battled their tails off with a good gameplan. We had to survive and advance. Sometimes you have to catch a break to advance. You have to be good and you have to catch breaks, and that’s what happened. It was a tough game and I’m mentally and physically exhausted, but I’d rather be tired and happy than tired and sad, so we’ll take it.”
Portageville will host No. 7 West County (20-4) in a Class 3 Quarterfinal on Thursday, May 25 at 4:30 p.m.
“Whoever we end up playing is going to deservingly be there for a reason,” Trover said. “We’ll see what we can do, but my brain is made more for that one-day layoff. We’re going to come up with a plan tomorrow and we’re going to stick to it. I won’t have six days to overthink it. We’re excited to have the opportunity, and Good Lord willing we just keep on going.”
Blake Wilburn took the loss after 0.2 innings of work. However, he did not allow any earned runs on no hits with one strikeout and two walked batters.
Lawson Graff started the game and threw the first seven innings and allowed two earned runs on five hits with three strikeouts and two walks.
“[Graff] threw a great game,” Cobb said. “We didn’t know where this game was going to go when it was 5-0, but he settled down and throws up five scoreless innings in a row. It helped the entire team settle down and we started making plays, playing confident and comfortable. [Graff] did an unbelievable job on the mound, settling down and going the max distance.
“It was a full team effort to be in this game,” Cobb continued. “A lot of guys did a lot of things well today, and that’s what it takes to play the game with [Portageville]. Unfortunately, we came up one run short.”
Although Scott City will lose seven seniors to graduation, including five starters, the Rams’ returning talent should ensure that they remain a serious contender next season.
“[The seniors] are a great group of kids that’s done a lot here at Scott City in all sports,” Cobb concluded. “They’re a constant and consistent group. They’re great teammates and leaders for this team, vocally and by example. It’s been a pleasure coaching them and I believe all of them will do well after high school.
“But we’re excited about the future,” he continued. “We have some exciting freshmen coming in, and we have a lot of guys that didn’t make the lineup this year but are good enough to play. That’s been one of blessings and curses this year, we had 12 guys that need to be in the lineup but you can’t do that.”
__PORTAGEVILLE 6, SCOTT CITY 5, F/8__
SC 001 120 10 — 5 8 2
P’Ville 410 000 01 — 6 5 1
W—Trey Benthal. L—Blake Wilburn. HR—Scott City Dalyn Littlepage.
Story Tags
Advertisement
Connect with the Southeast Missourian Newsroom:
For corrections to this story or other insights for the editor, click here. To submit a letter to the editor, click here. To learn about the Southeast Missourian’s AI Policy, click here.
Advertisement
Receive Daily Headlines FREESign up today!
