February 06, 2025

East Union baseball has another walk-off

By JARED LARSON

East Union sophomore Austin Lack is slapped on the chest in a congratulatory manner by his teammate, senior Wyatt Mairet (4). Lack allowed just three hits on 110 pitches and he struck out eight. Lack also scored the game winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning. (JARED LARSON)

AFTON — Consistency is key, and for the East Union Eagles, their third walk-off victory in the last four games played happened against Stanton Thursday night, as the Eagles won 4-3 over the Vikings.

These walk-off victories definitely aren’t for the faint of heart.

“I got a doctor appointment next week so I might want to bring that up,” coach Nate McCollough said. “They make it hard, but enjoyable.”

Austin Lack started on the mound and tallied 110 pitches, eight strikeouts and three hits. Offensively, the sophomore had two runs, including the game winner, on three at bats.

“He went seven full innings, had three unearned runs had two outs in the seventh inning and had a ball go off the first baseman’s glove that would’ve ended the game,” McCollough said. “Lack came up again, he hit a ground ball to third base, third base threw it away because the grass is a little wet, Austin made it all the way to third and a wild pitch scored him.”

“Speed won for us,” McCollough added.

Lack found the game to be exceptional, in his opinion.

“It was a great game, just like the last one,” Lack said. “Wish I could have finished it though to get a win on the board.”

Josh Lopez replaced Lack due to reaching the maximum number of pitches that are allowed to be thrown in Iowa High School baseball.

East Union led 1-0 after the first inning, and 3-0 after six.

Wyatt Mairet and Fischer Buffington added runs to the East Union side of the scoreboard.

“A total team effort,” McCollough said. “Super impressed with my pitching staff right now. We just got to wake the bats up. We got to score more runs early in the game so we’re not having to walk it.”

Freshman Ty Tallmon earned a shoutout from coach McCollough.

“He made his first career start today,” McCollough said. “He got a base hit there in the bottom of the seventh inning.”

The Eagles play at Martensdale-St Marys (7-4) tonight at 7:30 p.m. Since 2008, the Blue Devils lead the series 17-0.

“Josh will be on the mound tomorrow,” McCollough said. “He finished the eighth inning and threw 14 pitches tonight.”

Pictures from the game can be found at https://bit.ly/3QhFrh4.