By Tyler F. Thompson (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
With the recent redistricting, Class 6 District 6 is home to both the Glendale Falcons (1-1) and the Nixa Eagles. (0-4).
On a sunny yet cool night in the Ozarks, the Falcons — behind the versatile play of senior hurler Drew Wedgeworth — edged the opposition, 2-1.
Wedgeworth went 6 2/3 and was pulled only for pitch count purposes.
Glendale skipper Jim Julian is in his seventh season at the helm and has had some prized arms in the past, but the resonating feeling Julian has when his ace is on the bump is a nice luxury.
“He is a bulldog out there. He wants the ball in the big games. It has been his M.O. ever since he got into our program,” said Julian.
While it was a collective effort throughout the night, Wedgeworth showcased his leadership ability and laser focus throughout the tilt.
The Falcons struck first in the top of the third after Wedgeworth — after smashing a 340-foot moonshot down the right field line, going just foul — connected for the RBI single, plating Sebastian Norman, who reached on the single prior to stealing second base.
After Nixa tied it up in its half of the third on Caeden Cloud’s RBI single, 16 Glendale hitters stepped into the box before Wedgeworth’s bases loaded walk plated the difference maker in the top of the sixth.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
Offensively, in the sixth, with three runners on, Wedgeworth said his plan was simple when he dug his cleats into the batter’s box to face Carter Fangrow.
“I was talking to the guys who already saw him. A lefty guy who, we couldn’t figure out if it was a curveball or a slider,” said Wedgeworth. “That is how nasty it was. I was just trying to foul off pitches until I saw a fastball. I never got it and was able to work a walk.”
Heading into the seventh frame, Wedgeworth was sitting on 98 pitches, so he knew he had little time to waste.
“I came in screaming to keep me in. I knew that I had six pitches and a batter. I got three pitches for the first out, and the guy fouled it off 3-2. I got the next out and had faith in Rex. This could be the biggest game we play all year,” Wedgeworth said of the district implications. “We knew, coming in hat it would be a fight.”
Rex Deters came on to close the door in the seventh, allowing one hit before forcing the 5-3 force.
But it was the aforementioned bulldog mentality that lit up Christian County on this night.
“He had a really good year his junior year, which I think fueled the fire,” said Julian. “He hits his spots and challenges hitters. He was really efficient.”
Efficient he was as Wedgeworth allowed one run on six hits.
“It was a typical Drew game,” added Julian.
Throughout the night, Wedgeworth painted the black, and painted it some more.
He attacked the zone with conviction, often times getting the opposition out in front on the off-speed.
“He does a great job at keeping hitters off-balance,” said Julian.
While the work is evident on game night to those in attendance, it’s an intangible that truly is illuminating the program, dating back to the winter months.
“He is a great leader,” added Julian. “He is positive when he needs to be, and when he gets into somebody, he doesn’t do it in a way that is abrasive, or anything like that. He is a pretty good motivator. He is a huge leader for us. He has really stepped into that role.”
Glendale finished with seven hits. Nixa collected six.
Nixa’s Carter Fangrow took the loss. Jackson Gamble started the game, going five innings and allowing one run.
