Late miscue helps O’Fallon slip past Highland in 8-inning non-conference showdown
In a game that featured missed opportunities and mistakes, an extra-inning blunder cost the Highland baseball team a chance at a big early-season road victory.
Tied 3-3 in the bottom of the eighth, O’Fallon’s Connor Lindsey scored on a ground ball to third that was mishandled at first base and the Panthers clipped the Bulldogs for a 4-3 walk-off victory Tuesday, March 29, at Blazier Field in O’Fallon.
Lindsey’s winning run set off a wild celebration by the Panthers bench and fans as O’Fallon moved to 6-2.
“I’ll take an ugly win over a pretty loss and there’s no doubt in that,” said O’Fallon coach Joe Bauer, whose team finished third in the IHSA Class 3A state tournament last season. “Obviously, some kids that were kind of role players for us (last year) came up big in key situations.
“And you see a game like that come down to errors, I would rather have it in my favor than theirs, but they’re a fundamental team. (Highland coach Joel Hawkins) does a really good job and they really play the game similar to us and put pressure on you.”
The outcome was not an enjoyable one for Highland (3-3) as the Bulldogs, who were shut out by Breese Central 10-0 the previous day. Highland’s performance against OTHS did not sit well with Hawkins.
“It’s frustrating to watch the kids not perform because they’re capable of better than this,” Hawkins said.
O’Fallon went ahead 2-0 in the bottom of the second inning as Corey Quintal singled to left with one out and scored off a throwing error as Connor Patton reached first. Patton then stole second and scored on an RBI single from RJ Cole.
HHS came back in the top of the fifth as Jake Ottensmeier and Luke Darling singled to lead off and Miscik followed with a run-scoring single to left. Aiden Duft’s RBI-groundout to first base tied the score at 2-2.
By the fifth inning, both Highland starter Trent Clemons and O’Fallon starter Mike Larson had given way to the bullpen.
Clemons ended up with a no-decision that left Hawkins disappointed.
“Trent Clemons pitched his spine off and he gets nothing to show for this,” Hawkins said.
Highland still appeared headed for victory in the top of the seventh as Ottensmeier singled, stole second, and scored on a high throw by catcher Will Millard that sailed past first base and allowed him to come home from second for a 3-2 lead.
OTHS rallies late to force extra innings
Down to their last out in the bottom of the seventh, the Panthers got a clutch pinch-hit, RBI triple down the right-field line from Rodell Andrews to stay alive, knotting the game at 3-3.
“He (Rodell) went early and he was aggressive and I couldn’t be happier for the kid,” Bauer said.
In the bottom of the eighth, the Panthers finally prevailed. Lindsey led off with a walk and went to second on a wild pitch. Highland reliever Nick Schoeck then retired Quintal and Xavier Deatherage.
Unfortunately, the Bulldogs’ infield hiccups popped up again, as Patton grounded to third and was ruled safe when the throw was mishandled at first base.
Final thoughts from Bauer, Hawkins
Bauer was simply glad his team escaped with the win and had a chance to hopefully improve a bit.
“We’re just trying to find some stable ground and get better day to day,” Bauer said. “It’s a great game to build on and hopefully come out tomorrow and get a little bit cleaner (play).”
Hawkins said he felt the Bulldogs lost a golden opportunity against O’Fallon.
“The thing is, when you have your chances with runners at second and third, you’ve got to bring them home and we didn’t do it and we deserved to lose tonight,” Hawkins said.
This story was originally published March 30, 2022 at 12:59 AM.