Greencastle falls in extra innings in Class 2A Semi-State

The magical baseball season of the Greencastle Tiger Cubs came to a heart breaking finish Saturday night in Plainfiled. 

Greencastle (17-11) fell 7-6 in eight innings against ninth ranked Providence in a game that featured plenty of momentum swings and tested the depth of both teams pitching rotations. The Tiger Cubs saw their season end, while Providence will play for its third state title in the last eight years next weekend at Victory Field in Indianapolis. 

Greencastle had an opportunity to go ahead in the top of the eighth inning, as Providence turned the game over to pitcher Gavin Jackson, who had only 19 pitches left. Jackson would wind up striking out two to close out the frame, as the Tiger Cubs left two on base in the frame. 

In the bottom of the eighth, Bryton Gregg came in to pitch for Greencastle and looked strong early, but a passed ball allowed Jack Beyl to advance to third from first. Moments later, Jackson would rip an opposite field game winning RBI single to lift the Pioneers. Beyl also played a role in the win from the mound, as he was called on to settle things down defensively for Providence and ended with double digit strikeouts before being replaced by Jackson. 

Early on, it appeared as if the Tiger Cubs would breeze to an easy victory, taking advantage of a shaky start by Straub, who would eventually be chased off the mound. Greencastle took advantage of several walks and were able to plate three runs to go ahead 3-0 after the opening frame. 

Greencastle would tack on two more runs in the top of the second, to stretch the lead to 5-0. Providence, however, would find some offense of its own, as the Pioneers got a solo homer from Luke Kruer and a sac bunt RBI out of Lincoln Kruer. 

Providence blew the game wide open in the bottom of the third inning, scoring four runs on three hits. Connor Sad put the Pioneers ahead on an error, 6-5. 

Greencastle would claw right back in the next inning, as the Tiger Cubs would knot things at 6-6, In the bottom of the inning, Providence would find runners in scoring position after being hit at the plate but the Pioneers would strand the runners in scoring position. 

Greencastle would dodge a huge bullet in the bottom of the seventh inning. Providence's Lincoln Kruer singled and Blake Straub drew a walk, but the Pioneers would leave both on base, squandering a walk off opportunity.