For the second straight year, the clash between El Dorado and Junction City ended in walk-off fashion.
Christian Webb scored on Tyler Johnson’s sacrifice fly, as the Wildcats outlasted the Dragons 5-4 in nine innings Tuesday at the El Dorado-Union County Recreation Complex.
Last year, Jack Smith hit a walk-off, three-run homer, as the Dragons overcame a 6-1 deficit to top the Wildcats 7-6, but on Tuesday night, it was the Wildcats’ turn.
In the ninth, Webb walked and Brennan Jones was hit by a pitch to put runners at first and second. After a wild pitch advanced the runners into scoring position, Jared Rhodes was intentionally walked.
Gabe Richard, who took over on the mound after starter Keelan Hodge worked the first seven innings, retired Chase Webb on a popup to second.
With the bases loaded and one out, Johnson hit a fly ball to left-center that was deep enough for Christian Webb to score the winning run.
“It was a good game and a really good atmosphere,” said El Dorado coach Cannon Lester. “Junction really battled. They played well. We battled and battled. We had some guys step up. It was a fun game.”
The Dragons (2-3) forced extra innings thanks to Hodge.
Jakiron Cook and Jacob Orr drew walks and Trey Walker advanced the runners with a sacrifice bunt.
Hodge then laced a two-run single to center to tie the game at 4-all.
Junction City took an early lead with a pair of runs in the first.
Hodge, who went 2-for-4, doubled and scored on an RBI single by Ty Disotell.
Disotell later scored as the result of a balk to make it 2-0.
Hodge, who allowed just four hits with two walks and eight strikeouts, kept the Wildcats at bay until the fourth when Chase Webb scored on a passed ball after reaching on an infield single, and pinch runner Preston Howard, who entered the game after Joseph Bolin walked, scored on an error.
The Wildcats (4-2) took the lead in the sixth with a two-out rally.
Austin Jobe singled and stole second base to get into scoring position, and Ashton Yarbrough delivered an RBI single to make it 3-2.
Yarbrough then stole second and scored on a double by Landen Rainwater to add to what turned out to be a short-lived lead.
Of the four runs Hodge allowed, only two were earned.
Richard took the loss, working 1 2/3 innings. He allowed one hit, one run, walked four and didn’t record any strikeouts.
Johnson made himself the winning pitcher with his sacrifice fly, working four innings in relief of Yarbrough.
Johnson allowed two hits and two runs with both being earned. He walked three and struck out six.
Yarbrough gave up three hits and two runs with both being earned in five innings of work. He walked three and struck out seven.
Jobe went 2-for-4 with a double with Yarbrough adding one hit, two walks and one run scored for EHS. Rainwater finished 1-for-3 with an RBI for the Wildcats.
Disotell went 1-for-4 with an RBI and Cook was 1-for-2 with a walk and one run scored for the Dragons.
Junction City will play at Crossett on Thursday before hosting Ouachita on Friday.
El Dorado will host Camden Fairview Thursday and Crossett on Friday.