Scott City baseball team outlasts state-ranked Clearwater in district final

~ The Rams claimed the Class 3 District 2 title with a 12-11 victory

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- The tension mounted with every pitch in the late going of Tuesday's Class 3 District 2 tournament final.

"I was out there shivering. ... I didn't want it to be our last game," Scott City senior left fielder Travis Phillips said.

It won't be, thanks to the second-seeded Rams' thrilling and wild 12-11 win over top-seeded Clearwater at Hillhouse Park.

Scott City, capturing its first district baseball title since 2010, will play at District 1 champion New Madrid County Central in Monday's sectional round.

Scott City’s Zach Carlyle, right, runs past Ryan Brock after scoring against Clearwater during the sixth inning in the Class 3 District 2 championship game Tuesday in Charleston, Mo. (Fred Lynch)

"It was very nerve-wracking, but it all worked out for us," said a smiling Ryan Fortner, Scott City's senior DH.

The Rams, who improved to 19-6, overcame five errors -- resulting in five unearned runs -- and eight walks by their pitchers.

Clearwater (18-5), the state's fifth-ranked Class 3 team, was just about as generous as Scott City. The Tigers' three errors resulted in four unearned runs. They helped the Rams out with eight walks and three hit batters.

"It was back and forth, a good game to watch," Phillips said.

Scott City coach Lance Amick credited the victory by his unranked Rams with a trait that has served them well all season.

"That game was the definition of our team all year long. We just compete," Amick said. "In a game like this there are all kinds of variables. There's not one thing you can point to.

"We found a way. At this time of the year that's all you want. We've got a bunch of competitors. I couldn't be prouder of them. It feels good."

The contest, played in warm and extremely windy conditions that made most pop flies an adventure, featured numerous momentum swings and several lead changes.

Scott City jumped on top 4-0 after 1 1/2 innings before Clearwater's six-run second inning -- just three of the runs were earned -- put the Rams in a 6-4 hole.

"We could have packed it in after the second inning," Fortner said. "But we battled like we have all year."

The Rams, trailing 7-5 after four innings, regained the lead for good with a four-run fifth inning on just two hits.

Two of the runs were unearned thanks to an error. Scott City also took advantage of three hit batters and a walk during the go-ahead rally.

Fortner had an RBI double and junior catcher Zach Carlyle added an RBI single.

Scott City made it 11-7 with a two-run sixth inning, but the Rams were far from home free.

"Clearwater is a very good team. You knew they were going to come back," Amick said.

The Tigers cut the deficit to 11-10 with a three-run sixth inning before Scott City added a big unearned run in the seventh inning.

That set the stage for a harrowing bottom of the seventh.

Junior Eric Uhrhan, despite throwing a complete game in Monday's semifinal win over Kelly, moved from shortstop to the mound.

"Coach asked me how I felt. I said I was good enough to go," said Uhrhan, Scott City's third pitcher of the day.

Sophomore Steven Carter led off the bottom of the seventh with an infield single, beating out a ground ball to shortstop.

Uhrhan recorded the next two outs on a comebacker and a strikeout.

But senior Clay Carson drew a walk, then junior Devin Carter hit a routine ground ball to shortstop -- but an attempted force out at second base resulted in a wild throw for an error, allowing Steven Carter to score and sending the tying run to third base.

Devin Carter stole second, putting the winning run in scoring position.

"I couldn't even tell you what was going through my mind in the dugout," said Fortner, who as the Rams' DH could only watch the action unfold.

Uhrhan knew what was going through his mind.

"Just get this last out," he said.

Uhrhan retired senior Cory Devenport on a fly ball to right field, setting off a celebration.

"It feels amazing," Phillips said.

Amick, who earlier said there wasn't one thing he could point to as the difference in the game, ammended that somewhat.

"If there's one thing that sticks out it's Eric Uhrhan," Amick said. "He threw 111 pitches yesterday. He came to me and said, 'Coach, if you need me. ...'"

Senior ace Ryan Brock, the winning pitcher, was hurt by wildness over 5 1/3 innings.

Brock was charged with nine runs, five earned, on six hits. He struck out four and walked seven.

"He battled his wheels off for us," Amick said.

Senior center fielder Brett Dirnberger relieved Brock and recorded two outs. He allowed two hits and a run.

Then it was Uhrhan's turn to take the mound for the save.

"It was the biggest spot I've been in all year," he said.

Both teams had nine hits.

Phillips went 3 for 4 to lead Scott City's offense. He drove in two runs and scored twice.

Fortner went 2 for 3 with two walks. He scored three times and added two RBIs.

The Rams will try to extend their season when they visit New Madrid County Central on Monday.

The Eagles (13-14) pulled off a string of upsets to win the District 1 title, including Tuesday's 15-0 rout of favored Malden.

"We're glad we're still playing," Phillips said.

Scott City 311 042 1 -- 12 9 5

Clearwater 060 103 1 -- 11 9 3

WP -- Ryan Brock. LP -- Malachai Ezell. S -- Eric Uhrhan. 3B -- Brett Dirnberger (SC). 2B -- Travis Phillips (SC), Ryan Fortner (SC), Hayden Clark (C). Multiple hits -- Scott City: Phillips 3-4, Fortner 2-3. Clearwater: Austin Ayers 2-4, Steven Carter 2-5, Cory Devenport 2-5. Records -- Scott City 19-6, Clearwater 18-5.