Jace Washburn will start the 2024 with a five inning scoreless streak accomplished against current two time, and favored to be three time by then, defending Class 3A state champion Harding Academy.
Remarkably Washburn, a sophomore, put together the five inning streak after the Wildcats had strung together three hits, a walk, and the only error the Bearcats (18-9) committed all day for four runs – three earned – and would take a 4-1 win in the quarterfinal round of the Class 3A state tournament in a game played at Shiloh Christian Friday afternoon.
The first inning walk was the only one Washburn (3-1) issued and he did not hit a batter. He struck out three and allowed only two hits after the first inning for a total of five.
Unfortunately Washburn’s teammates could muster no offensive support until the sixth when Brooks Herrera reached on an error and eventually scored on a second Harding error in the inning.
After Harding took the lead in the bottom of the first Dunn Daniel singled with one down in the second but could not advance.
In the Bearcat fifth Dax Goff singled with one out and Peyton Tatum was hit by a pitch, but again the Bearcats could not capitalize.
After Herrera reached on the sixth inning error Rhett Nietert was hit by a pitch. A ground ball fielder’s choice got the second out of the inning but a bad throw trying for a double play allowed Herrera to come home, scoring a run for the 49th time this season.
The loss ends the careers of senior regulars Herrera, Tatum, Daniel, and David Hicks as well as Cam Osborne, Cody Elliott, and Gage Broussard.
