By Don Abernathy (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Nixa junior catcher Jack Edwards would be the first one to admit that his go-ahead hit against Republic late in the Class 6 District 6 championship game on Thursday wasn’t hit all that hard, but he’s happy with the result just the same.
With the bases loaded in the top of the seventh inning, Edwards hit a high-bouncing single that was just out of reach, scoring two runs as the Eagles broke the game wide open in the final inning and won, 6-2.
“At the beginning of the at bat, I was wanting to elevate the ball for a sacrifice fly or a double or even a homerun,” Edwards said.
“But once I got two strikes, I realized I needed to put the ball in play and I realized I needed to get at least get one run across.
“When it left the bat, it felt alright. I knew that it was going to score at least one run, so I thought it was good.”
Edwards’ single scored sophomore Wyatt Vincent from third and junior Rylan Michel from second for a 4-2 lead with no outs.
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“Somebody was going to break through in one of those innings and we just happened to get the situation we wanted, we put pressure on them, and then we got the big hit,” Nixa coach Logan Hughes said. “They had the infield in, he chopped it, and it got over their head.”
Nixa senior Reece Dimberger’s sacrifice fly to center scored sophomore Caeden Cloud from third for a 5-2 Nixa lead. Senior Tanner Grant drove home Edwards on a single for the game’s final run.
“I don’t feel like we gave away any at bats tonight and that says a lot, because their pitching is really good,” Hughes said.
Nixa (31-6) loaded the bases without the help of a hit in the top of the seventh. Vincent walked, Michel reached on an error, and both runners advanced to the next base when Republic (22-10) had defenders out of position fielding Michel’s bunt.
“They are really good offensively and you can’t keep them down for too long,” Republic coach Curt Plotter said.
“Those first few guys, not only can they swing the bat, but they can run a little bit. The bunt there at the end put some pressure on us and they executed it to perfection. That got their inning going and they swing it one through nine really well and they are really tough outs.”
Edwards went 1-for-2 at the plate with three RBIs to lead Nixa but was praised by his coach for his leadership behind the plate.
“I think what goes unnoticed sometimes is how much a catcher translates into success and for us, Edwards is just different than most out there,” Hughes said.
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“We don’t call pitches, he does, and he calls a good game. He slows the game down for our pitchers and he helps keep them in control of their emotions.”
The Tigers scored twice in the second inning, thanks to a sacrifice fly by senior Collin Myers that scored junior Trace Harrington. Republic junior Devon Hughes then followed with a double that pushed junior Wyatt Woods across to tie the score at two.
Nixa sophomore Collin Kelley came in to relieve senior starter Ethan Taylor in the top of the third and went the rest of the way.
“Coach told me to be ready,” Kelley said. “I knew my number was going to get called today, so I just stayed focused and locked in throughout the game.
“My slider was working well for me, I had confidence throwing it. I felt dominant tonight. It’s just an amazing feeling.”
Kelley gave up just three hits, one walk, and struck out six in five complete innings of work.
“He did amazing,” Edwards said of Kelley. “He came in and he located his pitches. He got the leadoff man out almost every inning. He did great.”
