AUXVASSE, Mo. - Senior right fielder Wyatt Branson's three-run triple fueled a six-run outburst in the bottom of the second inning as the North Callaway Thunderbirds held off the New Bloomfield Wildcats 8-6 in Tuesday night's regular-season finale.
North Callaway (13-7) added two runs in the sixth to extend its lead to 8-4, but New Bloomfield (7-10) rallied for two runs in the top of the seventh and had the bases loaded with two outs. Junior reliever Sam Althiser entered the game and got the final out to post his second save of the season for the Thunderbirds.
North Callaway prevailed despite managing only four hits, benefitting from eight walks and a hit batter by the Wildcats' pitchers. Branson finished 1-for-2 with two walks, a stolen base and a run scored.
Senior third baseman JT Higgins was 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored for the Thunderbirds, while junior shortstop Justin Popp went 1-for-3 with an RBI and scored once. Junior center fielder Adam Reno was 1-for-2 with a run scored.
Senior starter AJ Stubblefield collected the victory for North Callaway, allowing six runs - three earned - on 12 hits in 6 2 /3 innings. Stubblefield (2-2) struck out four and issued two walks.
Senior right fielder Robert Manning finished 3-for-4 with a stolen base and two RBI for New Bloomfield. Senior third baseman Zack Burton went 2-for-3 with a two-run single.
Senior starter Tommy Bedsworth took the loss for the Wildcats, giving up six earned runs on just three hits in 3 2/3 innings. Bedsworth struck out four and walked four.
North Callaway has earned the top seed and a first-round bye for the Class 3, District 7 Tournament at Bowling Green. The Thunderbirds will play either No. 4 seed Montgomery County or No. 5 Hallsville in the semifinals at 4 p.m. Monday.
New Bloomfield is the third seed for the Class 2, District 7 Tournament at Harrisburg. The Wildcats face No. 6 seed Fayette in the first round at noon Saturday.