Cutler Haller hauled in a pop fly just behind the to complete a five pitcher one-hitter as the Bearcats beat Perryville 2-1 in a nonconference game Monday.
Haller, who earned the save, came on with a 3-1 count and two down as head coach Arron Kimes was keeping his three top pitchers under 30 pitches and eligible to pitch in the District 3A-4 Tournament today.
However, the final inning provided plenty of drama.
Haller would throw ball four and hit the next batter to fill the bases. He got a ground ball that was misplayed and the Mustangs were within 2-1 with the bases loaded and their leadoff hitter at the plate.
Haller got him to pop up and with a crowd behind the mound reached back to glove the ball for the save.
Jace Washburn started it and threw 24 pitches over two scoreless innings but the Perryville would get through three scoreless innings before giving way.
Clint Osborne (1-0, shown) made his varsity debut in the third and pitched around a walk, then threw a perfect fourth, helped out by a diving catch by Todd, then playing leftfield, leaving with a 1-0 lead.
Sadler Miller walked and moved to second on a sacrifice by Haller – one of three by the Bearcats – and Osborne was hit by a pitch.
Miller was out trying to score on a wild pitch but Tayden Washburn, who got the start behind the plate with the two most used Bearcat catchers at the District 3A-4 track meet, singled sharply to score Osborne.
Rhett Nietert (2-for-3) singled but pinch runner Dakota Fonseca was thrown out trying to extend the lead.
Dylan Todd was hit with a pitch to start the Bearcat fifth but was thrown out trying to steal. With two down Miller drew another walk – he had three and a sacrifice ending the game without an official at bat – that moved Jace Washburn, who had also walked, to second.
A single by Haller drove in Washburn and it was 2-0.
Todd threw the bottom of the fifth allowing only one runner on a walk.
Nietert sat the Mustangs down in order in the sixth but was lifted in the seventh with 29 pitches thrown.
The Bearcats (12-7) will now face Lamar today in the District 3A-4 tournament in Lavaca. the Warriors beat Mansfield 14-1 last night.
