KNOXVILLE — Going into the postseason Walker valley head baseball coach Wes Anderson wanted his Herd to be tested and they have responded as he hoped.
"Just an incredible team win. I can’t say enough about the resolve of this team," the Mustang wrangler proclaimed after Thursday's 6-4 victory over sixth-ranked (4A) Hardin Valley.
"Hardin Valley is a great team capable of another deep playoff run, and they had us on the ropes, but we battled for two (runs) in the 6th to tie it and the 3-spot in the 7th."
Playing five straight games against state-ranked teams, Walker Valley rallied past ninth-ranked (3A) Signal Mountain 4-3 Wednesday evening as well.
"That’s a dang good baseball club (Signal Mountain) that we beat and I’m just so very proud of our boys," Coach Anderson declared.
Walker Valley (14-15) was to tangle with county rival and District 6-4A champ Bradley Central (19-7) after presstime Friday, at Mike Turner Field.
The Herd will wrap up the regular season Tuesday with a visit from No. 1-ranked (DII-AA) Baylor (20-7).
As the No. 2 seed, the Mustangs will open District 5-4A Tournament play Thursday at home against third-seeded McMinn County in the start of a best-of-3 semifinal series.
MUSTANGS 6
HAWKS 4
Walker Valley got on the board quickly with a two-out, RBI-single by senior Conner Phillips to drive in Carson-Newman signee Braxton Smith, who had been "plunked" to open the game.
Hardin Valley (20-6) answered not only with a run in the bottom of the inning, but solo scores in its next two at bats as well.
Down by a pair heading into the top of the sixth the Herd took advantage of a couple of Hawk miscues. Michael Pledge reached base safely after a swinging third strike and his courtesy runner Brenden Guffey moved up on a walk to Bryson Kent, went to third on a wild pitch and scored when senior Titus Torbett laced a single.
Kent tied the game a few minutes later with a daring double steal.
The deciding rally came in the seventh when bask-to-back Hardin Valley one-out errors allowed Carson Minnix and Phillips to get on base.
Pledge drove in the first score with a single before another Hawk miscue allowed Phillips to come in as well.
After a strikeout and yet another home team error the final run came in when Pledge touched home plate.
Although a pair of walks and a hit batsman in the game's final at bat allowed the hosts a run, Brody Ownby took the mound to get the final two outs for the save.
"Michael Pledge gave us another quality start tonight (5 IP, 3 Ks, 2 BB, 6 hits, 2 ER) and had two huge hits," related Coach Anderson.
"How about Brody Ownby though? Got the save on the mound and a big hit to drive in one. That’s a big spot for a young guy and he flourished.
"Again, I’m so proud of these men," he added.
MUSTANGS 4
EAGLES 4
It was only appropriate a 12th grader drove in the walk-off run on Walker Valley's Senior Night, Wednesday at Mike Turner Field.
With seniors providing seven of the eight Mustang hits, the Herd rallied to pull out a 4-3 thriller over Signal Mountain.
"Just a great team win tonight," proclaimed wrangler Anderson. "It’s great to see the seniors go out with a win, especially with some success from some guys that don’t always get the opportunity.
"Garrison Bess had a huge double to lead off our big three-run inning and Braxton Smith delivered the three-run bomb.
"Then, of course, Felipe (Castellanos) with the big game-winner in the bottom of the seventh," the Mustang wrangler stated. "Those two (Smith and Castellanos) have been incredible for us this year.
"Kellar (Stansell) got the start and pitched his tail off and then Cooper Henry came in and just did what he’s done all year.
Signal Mountain (21-8) got on the scoreboard first in the top of the second inning when Ty Parker drew a one-out walk and scored a moment later on a Mustang miscue on a ball hit by Bo Cooper.
The visitors upped their lead with a pair of runs in the third frame as Max Rackel delivered a two-run double just inside the third base bag and down the left field line.
In a 3-0 hole heading to the home half of the third, Walker Valley opened with a big double by Bess down the right-field line. After a walk to junior Jordan Smith, Braxton Smith tied the game with a shot over the left field fence.
Neither team could circle the bases as seven straight goose eggs were put on the board before the game-winning rally in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Jordan Smith opened the at bat with a base on balls to reach base for the third time and gave way to courtesy runner Kent.
Braxton Smith hit a hard grounder and reached on a throwing error, which allowed Kent to get to third base.
Castellanos stepped into the box and drove the second pitch into left field for the walk-off single, setting off the Herd celebration.
Castellanos and Phillips both ripped a pair of hits.
Stansell and Henry combined to hold Signal Mountain to just four hits.
Going the first three frames, Stansell scattered three hits, striking out a trio and walking three, leading to two earned runs.
Cooper shutdown the visitors with four innings of one-hit shutout ball, also notching a trio of Ks and issuing a pair of free passes for the victory.
