Jamus Carneyhan saved the day for the Caldwell County baseball team on Thursday.
The Tigers led Crittenden County 9-8 in the top of the seventh inning at the VFW Ballpark, but the Rockets had runners at second and third with two outs.
A shot toward the right-center field gap by Casey Cates looked like it might give Crittenden the lead, but Carneyhan tracked the ball down from his spot in right field, making a diving catch in the gap as Caldwell held on for the one-run win over its former 5th District rival.
The Tigers had built a 9-3 advantage through three innings. But the Rockets (14-11) battled back with three runs in the fifth to make it 9-6, then scored twice in the top of the seventh to cut the gap to a single run. However, Carneyhan’s diving grab preserved Caldwell’s win.
The Tigers had dropped four straight to the Rockets before Thursday’s victory.
Luke Parker was 3-for-3 with a double and scored twice for Caldwell while Carter Whittington was 2-for-3 with a double and scored three times.
Logan Smiley was 1-for-3 with a triple and an RBI while Hunter Newsom was 1-for-3 with a double and two runs batted in.
Maddux Carlson was 2-for-3 for Crittenden with a double, two RBIs and three runs scored. Tanner Beverly went 2-for-3 and drove in a run.
Deontaye Walls picked up the win on the mound for the Tigers. He went 4.1 innings, allowing six earned runs on eight base hits. He struck out four and walked three.
Cole Slone tossed the final 2.2 innings to earn a save. He gave up two earned runs on one base hit. Slone fanned three and walked three.
The triumph assures the Tigers of a winning season. Caldwell is now 12-8 with one regular-season game remaining.
The Tigers will host Fort Campbell Friday at the VFW Ballpark.
Caldwell leads the Falcons 17-6 all-time and has won the last three matchups.
The Tigers will play Dawson Springs on Monday in the 7th District tournament in Madisonville.
