The Wortham Bulldogs scored six runs in the final two innings to claim the district championship 7-6 over the Axtell Longhorns Friday night in Corsicana.
On Tuesday, Axtell defeated the Mart Panthers 9-6 to advance to the final game in the district tournament to sort out a three-way tie for first place.
Throwing the ball is Wortham Bulldog Cade McCoslin.
The Longhorns scored two on a missed third strike and errant throw to take the early 2-0 lead. Wortham got one of those runs back in the home half of the third inning when Lane McDaniel was hit by a pitch and freshman Cash Perez ripped a double to the gap in left center field that would score McDaniel.
The score was 4-1 for the remaining innings and increased to 5-1 on an RBI single by Michel.
Wortham’s Anthony Fortoul ready to start 1st base.
Trailing 5-1 going to the final frame, Tanner Bean led the inning off with a single. Senior Cade McCoslin doubled in Bean to cut the lead to 5-2. He was erased on a fielder’s choice and McDaniel was on the bases. Perez doubled to move McDaniel to third and Ryken Lewis walked to load the bases. Anthony Fortoul worked a walked and forced a run home. An error scored Perez and Dawson Norcross had a bases loaded walk that tied the game at 5-5.
Cash Perez on mound.
The extra frame had a pitching change by both teams. Axtell scored a run in the top of the eighth and Wortham faced a variety of pitchers from the Longhorns that were close to exceeding pitching limits.
Bulldog fan in the stands.
In the bottom of the eighth, the top of the order did their part. McCoslin walked to lead off the inning. He moved to second on a ground out to the pitcher. Perez walked and Fortoul was intentionally walked to load the bases. Another pitching change for the Longhorns stopped play and Eli Norcross was the first to face him. He worked the count full and took ball for the run that would tie the game at 6-6 and Dawson Norcross would be the final batter with two outs and the bases loaded. The count worked full again and the runners were off on the full count pitch. The call was ball four for the walk off RBI and the 7-6 win.
Wortham baseball team celebrate a good game.
Cade McCoslin took the win on the mound and Perez logged into the seventh inning before the pitch retired his services for the night.
McCoslin had two doubles as well as Perez hitting two doubles in the game.
Wortham will take on Itasca in the bi-district round of the playoffs.
The Fairfield Eagles have also qualified for the playoffs and the playoff coverage will continue next week.
(Photos by Melissa Perez)
