A trip to the Willard Tournament ended up with only one game played for Platte County, but the Pirates made it memorable.
Colby Sneed’s sacrifice fly provided the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth, and Dalton Reichers — Platte County’s fifth pitcher — worked an adventurous final three outs in a 5-4 win over Glendale on Friday, March 24 in Springfield, Mo. The Pirates also held a one-run lead after the top of the seventh but ended up needing two extra innings to complete the win.
In the top of the seventh, Platte County senior first baseman Austin Gammill hit a two-out double to centerfield to score Justin Mitchell. The Pirates held a 4-3 lead entering the bottom of the seventh, but Glendale mounted a two-out rally.
TODD NUGENT/Special to The Citizen
Platte County’s Ryan Frazier, right, dives back into first base in a game against Glendale on Friday, March 24 in Springfield, Mo. The game was part of the Willard Tournament, which ended up canceled due to inclement weather.
After reliever Glen Gammill recorded two quick outs, the sophomore walked the next batter before giving up an RBI double to tie the score at 4-4.
Glen Gammill worked around a two-on, one-out jam in the eighth to again extend the game. Platte County nearly produced a big inning in the ninth after Colton Horn singled and Mitchell and Drew Parmeley followed with walks.
Sneed then hit the game-winning sacrifice fly to right field.
In the ninth, Reichers, who recorded the final out of the eighth, loaded the bases with no outs. He then grabbed a double play on a ground ball in front of the plate, and the final batter lined out to shortstop Max Hunter to end the game.
Platte County led 2-0 after the top of the first, but Glendale answered with one run to start a pattern. The Pirates were up 3-1 after the top of the third before allowing single runs in the third and fourth to allow the score to be tied for the first time.
Horn and Mitchell scored two runs apiece, and Austin Gammill had two RBIs. Parmeley went 3-for-4 with one of three doubles for Platte County. Austin and Glen Gammill had the other two.
The final three games of the Willard Tournament all ended up rained out, leaving Platte County at 1-1 on the season.
Blue Springs South 4, Platte County 3
The Pirates’ comeback ended when they weren’t able to take advantage of a bases loaded situation in the bottom of the seventh Wednesday, March 22 at Platte County High School.
Parmeley, a senior, scored a run with an infield single to bring Platte County within 4-3, and Austin Gammill followed with a walk. The game ended when Dillon Doll grounded into a fielder’s choice for the final out.
Platte County had nine hits but never led in the season-opener.
Blue Springs South scored three in the top of the third off of reliever Blake Conner, who pitched two innings after Horn worked two scoreless innings. Platte County closed within 3-2 in the bottom half of the frame when Mitchell — the Pirates’ senior all-state catcher — hit a two-out, two-run home run to score leadoff hitter Kobe Cummings, who walked earlier in the inning.
Cummings, Mitchell and Parmeley all finished with two hits apiece, while Horn and Austin Gammill both walked twice.