MAYSVILLE, Mo. — Thursday’s game between Northeast Nodaway and Stewartsville-Osborn came down to the final moments, and the Bluejays pulled off an incredible walk-off win, 14-13. The game was tied 13-13 in the bottom of the seventh when Rylee Scadden tagged up to score the winning run.
The WildCards struck first in the top of the first. After a ground out from Laine Downs, a run scored to put the Tigers ahead 1-0. Northeast Nodaway answered quickly. Mylee Wilmes singled to left field, scoring Paizlee Norman and tying the game 1-1.
In the top of the second, Stewartsville-Osborn took the lead 3-1 thanks to a couple of errors. But the Bluejays responded in the bottom of the second. Emma Vicker walked, Paizlee Norman singled, bringing in a run to tie it 3-3.
The third inning saw Stewartsville-Osborn jump ahead again. Michelle Meek doubled, scoring two runs, followed by a double from Anna Ramey to make it 6-3. But Northeast Nodaway wouldn’t back down.
The Bluejays turned the game around in the bottom of the fourth. A series of singles, a double by Scadden that drove in two, and smart base running put Northeast Nodaway ahead 8-6. Blair Nelson also had a key single that helped the rally.
Stewartsville-Osborn responded in the fifth, scoring five runs, taking back the lead 11-8. The WildCards’ big hits included a couple of runs coming off errors by the Bluejays.
Northeast Nodaway answered immediately in the bottom of the fifth. Wilmes singled, driving in one, and a couple of runs came in on an error, cutting the deficit to 12-11. Piper Gray also contributed with a smart single and a stolen base.
The sixth inning was quiet on the scoring front. Addi Thummel and Norman worked to keep Stewartsville-Osborn from pulling further ahead. Nelson, Kennard and Hicks kept the Bluejays’ offense moving with singles and aggressive base running.
In the top of the seventh, Stewartsville-Osborn managed to get a couple of runs off two Northeast Nodaway errors, putting them ahead 13-12.
The scoring in the bottom of the seventh started with a Nelson double to center, scoring Norman and getting herself and Scadden into scoring position. Then came the moment everyone was waiting for: Thummel hit a fly ball, Scadden tagged up and raced home with two outs, giving Northeast Nodaway the 14-13 walk-off win.
“They’ve had to step up in big shoes and fill big roles with as young as our team is,” Northeast Nodaway coach Payton Beason said. “Every game we get better. If I said we were playing our best ball, I’d be lying, but we ended up on top, and I say, win’s a win.”
Pitching played a big part in the game. Norman came in relief and pitched five innings, giving up seven hits and only four earned runs, striking out three. Thummel started the game, giving up three runs over her 1 1/3 innings.
On the offensive side, Wilmes had a big day, going 3-for-5 with three RBI. Nelson, Norman and Scadden all collected multiple hits, and Vicker and Gray stole multiple bases, helping the Bluejays put constant pressure on Stewartsville-Osborn.
“I think that they have improved, like, a lot in practices and stuff, and I’m just really proud of them, and how far they’ve come this season,” Wilmes said.
The Bluejays also played smart on the bases with four stolen bases during the game that kept the pressure on Stewartsville-Osborn and helped set up several scoring opportunities.