CHARLESTON, Tenn. — 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 ninth-ranked (3A) Signal Mountain.
"Just a great team win tonight," proclaimed Walker Valley head coach Wes 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.
"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 (13-15) will travel to Knoxville to take on sixth-ranked Hardin Valley (16-5) Thursday before hosting county-rival Bradley Central (18-7) Friday.
Signal Mountain wraps up the regular season with a 21-8 record.
The Eagles 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 Jake Edmondson opened with a walk and Cash Keene stroked a single. After a sac bunt by Barrett Anderson moved them up a base, 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, Carson-Newman signee 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 Bryson 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 classmate Conner Phillips both ripped a pair of hits.
Stansell and Henry combined to hold Signal Mountain to just four hits, with Rackel's two-bagger the only one for extra bases.
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.
Eagle starter Luke Smiley went the distance, striking out a couple and walking two.
Game Summary
Wednesday, April 24
at Mike Turner Field
Signal Mountain 012 000 0 — 3 4 2
Walker Valley 003 000 1 — 4 8 4
Smiley and Timlin; Stansell, Henry (4) and Smith.
WP: Cooper Henry. LP: Luke Smiley. Records: Signal Mountain 21-8; Walker Valley 13-15.
(Email Joe Cannon at joe.cannon@clevelandbanner.com)