Timberwolves pull off narrow upset

AFTON — The stakes were as high as they could get Saturday in Afton as Southwest Valley (10-15) was up by one run in the bottom of the seventh inning while Stanton (13-8) had the bases loaded. There were two outs on the board and a full count for the batter.

Timberwolves relief pitcher Isaac Currin wound up and released the ball, the batter swinging and missing to give Southwest Valley a 6-5 districts win over the Vikings.

“That was mental toughness to a T,” Timberwolves coach Keegan Longabaugh said. “There were mistakes from both teams, but we closed the gates of mistakes first.”

With four lead changes throughout the game, it was a roller coaster battle from the start.

Sophomore Wyatt Mendenhall led the Timberwolves batting, going 2-3 at bat and being hit by a pitch for two RBIs. Beau Johnston went 2-4 at bat with a walk for two runs and an RBI. Gavin Wetzel made it on base all three plate appearances, twice for being hit by the pitch.

“The bats were going at the bottom of the lineup. The bottom of the lineup is what kickstarted our offense,” Longabaugh said. “Those guys got on base and gave Beau and Gavin opportunities to drive them in.”

Ethan Bruce and Brody Crozier each added a run while Isaac Currin ran in two.

Senior Brayden Maeder pitched six innings, striking out two batters. He allowed two walks, five hits and six runs. It was Currin who came in with the save, pitching two strikeouts in the last inning to keep the Vikings from completing the comeback.

“It was a heck of a win,” Longabaugh said. “We survived and advanced. Now it’s time to get back to work.”

The Timberwolves play at East Union Tuesday for a spot in the District 16 Championship game.