Darton books ticket to Junior College World Series

ALBANY — Denzell Gowdy couldn’t wipe the smile off his face.

Just minutes earlier, the Darton third baseman came up in a tied game with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the ninth inning in the final game of the East Central District Tournament at Darton State.

After running the count full, Gowdy ripped a ball down the left field line to score the winning run and give the Cavaliers a 6-5 victory over Dyersburg State while at the same time sending Darton to the Junior College World Series in Grand Junction, Colo.

The hit sent Gowdy’s teammates flying out of the dugout to create a dog pile in shallow center field to celebrate the victory.

“I was just trying to put it in play,” Gowdy said. “The guys already set the table for me. I was just trying to win it for us right there.”

After giving up three runs in the top of the third inning then getting one back in the bottom half of the inning, the Cavaliers trailed 4-1 until showing some life in the eighth.

Colton Thomas ripped an RBI triple into the right field gap to make it 4-2 and scored on a wild pitch to make it just a one-run game.

Dyersburg added one in the top of the ninth and could have scored more, but Lee County grad Michael Reddick struck out Colby Poston to end the threat. After the final pitch, Reddick, who pitched the final 3 1/3 innings, went down on the mound and came off the field clutching his pitching arm.

“Coach kept asking me if I wanted to go back out,” Reddick said. “I kept saying, ‘Absolutely.’ I wasn’t about to let anybody else have the ball. I’ve been waiting for this moment all year and I didn’t want to let my team down.”

Darton entered the ninth trailing 5-3 before Mike Huggins led off the ninth with a walk. After a Landon Crowder double, Justin Henle grounded into a fielder’s choice to make it 5-4.

Kendall Herron proceeded to rip a double to left to tie the game at 5-5.

Just before Gowdy came up to the plate, Dyersburg intentionally walked John Cable.

“When I hit it, I knew it was game over,” Gowdy said. “I was like ‘Colorado-bound, baby.’ I was hyped up. Darton has treated me so great. The atmosphere, the fans, they are always out here supporting us. I can’t thank them enough.”

Jeremy Beasley started for Darton on three days rest. He pitched the first four innings and gave up four runs. Pierce Smith pitched a scoreless 1 2/3 innings in relief of Beasley.

After dropping the first game of the tournament, the Cavaliers had to win four straight to make it to the Junior College World Series.

“We got huge blessing in the rain,” Hemmings said. “Having the day off Friday allowed us to roll Beasley even if he gave up four runs. In about the fourth inning I told my guys ‘We are close to knocking them out of the game. Just hang in there.’”

The Cavaliers will open the Junior College World Series with a first round game against Cisco College on Saturday at 3 p.m. MT.