May 23, 2012 — The West Carter Comets survived the Cougars of Morgan County in the first round of the 62nd district tournament Monday night, winning another nail biter, 6-5.
Comet pitcher Tanner Tackett allowed two hits in the first inning, giving the Cougars the first run to open the game.
West responded in the bottom of the first when Paul Phillips delivered an RBI single.
Cougar pitcher Ryan Hansen then loaded the bases, walking Derek Lawson and hitting Ben Jordan with a pitch.
The Comets tacked on another run on a bases loaded walk of Mackenzie McGlone.
Lawson added to the first inning offense, scoring on an error by Cougar catcher Joe Stamper.
Trailing 3-0, Morgan County responded in the second inning with three runs and four hits of its own.
Defense saved the Comets in the third inning, as Lawson turned a fly ball to center field into a double play.
First baseman Zeb Brown followed with a leaping catch to end the inning.
In the bottom of the third, senior Brandon Miller tied the game at four runs a piece on another catcher error.
The Cougars responded in the fourth, scoring one run on a sacrifice fly.
West Carter failed to capitalize on several scoring opportunities in the fourth and fifth innings, leaving a combined four runners on base.
The defensive play of the evening again came from the hands of Lawson, who delivered a perfect throw to McGlone for the final out of the sixth inning for the Comets.
West again failed to score in the bottom of the sixth, leaving two runners on base.
In the top of the seventh, Tackett loaded the bases, but then delivered three straight strikes on his 117th, 118th, and 119th pitches of the night.
West Carter rallied in the bottom of the seventh with Ben Jordan and Miller reaching base in succession.
Kyle Stone then loaded the bases with a long single.
Tackett delivered with a walk off single to bring home two runs and the Comet victory.
West Carter Head Coach Brad Bloomfield commented on his team’s composure.
“We’ve been in this situation before and I wouldn’t want anyone else up there but Tanner in that situation.”
Bloomfield added that the confidence gained in this game will help in the championship game.
The Comets met cross-county rival East Carter in the 62nd District finals last night after press time.
Both East and West’s baseball teams will now compete in the 16th Region tournament next Monday.
Next Wednesday’s Journal-Times and www.journal-times.com will have more on the results of last night’s game, as well as the rest of the Carter County postseason.
