Rival.

It is day three of the high school baseball and softball state championships in Hot Springs.

Welcome into Majestic Park, where babe Ruth Field.

It is going to be a great day.

Fingers crossed.

Weather-wise Westmore, Kevin Bohanon with you.

It is the one day state championship game between Mount Ida and Taylor Carbo.

Talk about kind of two different teams as far as experience in state championship games.

Yeah, exactly.

Taylor going for their fifth straight state championship.

Mount Olive has only been here twice, the last time in 2023 where they lost to Taylor 9 to 3.

Now is the second time the seniors have a little bit more experience.

Those seniors were freshmen in that game and they hope this outcome is a little bit different.

Let's take a look at Mount Ida and some of the keys to the game and the player to watch in this game.

Yeah.

Senior Kane McCullough is hitting 558 on the year seven home runs.

He's going to be the guy on the mound today.

Six and two record 2.03 ERA.

He's got 64 strikeouts in a little over 44 innings pitched.

What does Mount Ida need to do to win this game this time around?

Yeah, as you mentioned at West, they don't let the moment be too big for them.

Stay with white said.

Or Wilson said they are more experienced this time around and just play fundamental baseball.

Don't give Taylor too much because the Tigers will not beat themselves.

Yeah.

One of the things that surprised me about Taylor, where all the stolen bases, so that they want to create a little havoc.

Who's the player to watch for?

Taylor?

Yeah.

2025 MVP on the mound Jacob Vandenberg is back for 2026.

He's going to be on the mound today.

He's hitting 373, has a home run 28 RBIs.

He is six and two with A205 ERA.

Key to victory for Taylor.

Yeah keep man out off the bases.

And as I said Taylor Tigers they're not going to beat themselves are going to play opportunistic baseball.

Just do what they do best.

Should be a fantastic match up mount Ida and Taylor a couple of really good starting pitchers on the mound.

Here's the weather.

Right now 69 degrees feels like 69.

Perfect weather right now.

Right now, we're all keeping an eye on the radar.

It looks like we're going to have some rain at some point during this game.

We may have a delay.

I bet we have a delay, but we're here for the long haul.

It's going to be a lot of fun.

Glad you're with us.

Stick around.

One a baseball.

Coming up next, it's Taylor and Mount Ida.

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Mount Ida getting ready to bat the top in the first inning.

Here's what it looks like for them Jackson like Jake Gaston Kane McCullough, Eli McCullough.

Brothers batting three four Andy Black, Chris Merrill, Buck Miller, Ty Speer, Levi Watson, Jacob Clark will be out in right field.

Here's what it looks like defensively for Taylor.

Jasper Jones is out in right field in center field or right I'm sorry.

That's Carson Franks out if right field way Barton is in center field.

Jasper Jones out in left around the diamond we have Abraham Andrews at third Tucker Smith your shortstop Kenton Fowler at second.

Max Montgomery at first case and Andrews is behind the plate.

And we've talked about it Jacob Vandenberg on the mound.

And I thought this was a very interesting pitching matchup when you look at their two records, both six and two.

McCullough and Vandenberg, E.R.A is very similar.

2.05 for Vandenberg.

McCullough 2.03 yeah.

And you know both these pitchers are going to pound the zone.

They're going to be fastball slider.

You're not going to see you know, too much.

But I think you may see some really good one pitching today.

Both teams have a couple of guys that they can turn to if one of their starters gets in trouble.

A key point for Taylor West, their middle infield coach's sons.

Okay, you got Cannon Fowler.

That's going to be at second base.

And then Tucker Smith at shortstop.

They were bat boys going back to the 2018 season.

They've been in the dugout for this entire run for the Tigers.

A couple of junior.

So they'll be back for Taylor next year.

Taylor has a senior leadoff hitter.

And Jasper Jones Vandenberg is a senior and a senior.

So three just three seniors in this lineup, three sophomores and, three juniors.

So, the future looks good for Taylor Mount Ida.

They go sophomore, freshman, senior, junior, senior, junior, sophomore, senior, sophomore.

So they you know what these we've seen games where a lot of seniors are playing.

It's a senior.

You know experience team.

Yep.

This one's broken up to where you got some seniors some juniors some sophomores.

So the future looks bright for both of these programs really is.

And both these teams have been in the top of class one day all season.

Of course, Taylor coming off as a defending champion.

But Mount Ida, they missed the state the state tournament the year after they made the state championship in 2023.

So it's good for TJ Wilson's club to be back.

They've got some experience.

We talked about the McCullough brothers.

It's going to go through them.

Today was one good look at the coaches TJ Wilson Brian Fowler also it's a great matchup with the head coaches.

Honestly.

Absolutely.

Brian Fowler a couple of years ago was named to ABCa American Baseball Coach Association Region Coach of the year.

Taylor looking for their fifth straight state title.

And one day it'll be a little different next year for them go into two way.

Yeah.

It's amazing.

All those surrounding cities of Waldo and Emerson about Jackson White first pitch swinging hits it into the hole.

And just like that one pitch, one hit mount Ida came in here hitting the ball really well.

They their team batting.

The team batting average 370.

Yeah.

That's one of the things that you look at.

And I know, you know, fans at home may be saying, well no, they can hit the baseball up and down the line.

It doesn't matter where you're at.

So they're going to put pressure on Taylor all game.

They're on base percentage as a team 526 yeah.

You know when they're getting on base more than 50% of the time they do a really good job.

And that's what Taylor needs to do.

Play fundamental ball get some ground balls early on from Vandenberg.

So he Gaston.

Up next he'll take a look at the first pitch.

It's a ball outside.

That's a freshman.

Yep.

Are we sure on that.

Look at that.

That doesn't look like a freshman.

Yeah.

That was like posting weekly the other day.

Their two hole hitter you know sophomore first baseman Medford.

He was a big boy.

Vandenberg it's a pop up.

Looks like it's going to get out of play and take a look at it.

Andrews doesn't have anything over there.

So even the counter one apiece.

What do you see out of Vandenberg right now?

You know the biggest thing for him.

He's not going to have very many nerves, even though he's in a state championship game.

He's been in this position before he started the game last year was the MVP.

He's doing a really good job of pounding the zone.

Taller pitcher.

Well over six foot.

Yeah.

He's about six two.

High and play stolen base easily for white.

You talked about Taylor wanting to steal some bases.

We know they're going to try.

And white gets the first stolen base of the game.

Yeah.

That was one of the keys to the game for the Taylor Tigers.

They needed to keep mount Ida off the base pass.

With that 370 average.

You get a guy in scoring position, there's a good chance he's going to get knocked in.

I get three shots at it and gas and hitting 406.

McCullough up next hit 558.

So two of their best hitters coming up next with the runner in scoring position try to get on the board first.

And fouls off another one there.

You got a couple of senior pitchers that are hitting in the middle of the lineup.

Going to be on the mound.

Got a chance to help help themselves out.

Cain McCullough can help.

Can get on the board before he even steps on the mound.

That's always it helps relieve a little bit of pressure.

That's that's that one go.

They'll check.

But he did not go around and saw the first change up right there from, Vandenberg going to get fastball breaking ball.

It's got a little swerve action to it's not really a curveball slider.

It's kind of in between.

And and he's got that changeup that he'll throw away from left hand hitters.

First full count of the day.

White of course, was first pitch swinging.

Got a single.

Pops that one up.

Should be an easy play out and left for Jones.

He makes the catch.

No tag for white.

Of course.

Good job by Vandenberg right there.

He's using all four quadrants of the zone.

We talked about it up, down, in and out.

Got a fastball in right there and just jammed gassed.

And he wasn't able to get his arms extended.

Stay McCullough.

Up next you'll see McCullough on the mound.

The bottom half of the inning.

Pitcher versus pitcher Cole is going to be licking his chops.

305 down the right field line.

He's got seven home runs on the year.

Great job by Anders blocking that keeps the runner over at second.

We've seen some really good catchers this week.

Last last night and then six a game.

Both guys threw runners out.

They back picked.

Done a great job this week behind the plate.

Every team has yeah sails a little outside.

So McCullough and the hitters count two.

Oh you mentioned seven home runs 558 average I think we've only seen one home run.

One.

Yep.

Yeah.

Unless we talk about it's three zero right now that you talk about good walks and bad walks.

You get first base open the power hitter the best hitter in the lineup.

This would not be a bad walk right here.

Set up a double play.

Is this an unintentional intentional walk?

Yeah.

Yeah.

And they would walk off.

Speed finds the top half of the strike zone.

And Vandenberg doing a good job staying away.

Staying away.

Doesn't want to come into McCullough into his wheelhouse McCullough's put together very well his long top of the plate.

What he painted the corner on that one.

You didn't hurt.

Heard a few few groans from the from the stands back there, but home plate umpire Kelly Roach, very good umpire, very seasoned guy behind the plate today.

We're waiting.

Puts it right back up the middle.

And Vandenberg Fields is positioned well.

White moves over to third.

Now there are two outs.

Made a two out hit to get on the scoreboard.

Great job by Vandenberg right there.

Pitching.

Pitcher.

Fielding practice.

Want to make sure you're very good at it.

Did a good job.

That ball gets through.

You never know.

Run my score right there.

Now Eli McCullough to the plate.

By hitting 262 this season.

He's hit that cleanup spot for a reason I feel like they can depend on him.

And they need a two out hit to get on the scoreboard.

Yeah.

The younger brother, Kane McCullough, is a year younger.

He's a junior.

And falls behind in the count to another batter.

Second one in a row.

Yeah.

Second one in a row.

You know Jackson White jumped on it first pitch and then kind of fell behind Gaston right away.

So he's fallen behind the last three hitters.

Yeah great job there by Anders.

That saved a run.

Yeah it sure did.

And we talked about the other day in the two a game with the catchers.

You always hear the fans you know be a wall be a wall I've always told my catchers be a pillow.

Be soft back there.

You want the ball to bounce right down in front of you so you can pick it up, especially on this turf.

Second straight three oh count once again comes in with the strike.

He'll give Vandenberg credit.

He's been battling back even though he's falling behind.

Yeah one on one.

I mentioned earlier that, you know, even though he's been here before, there may be a little nerves and control.

Your breathing out there floats that one across.

Just like against Kane McCullough battles back the three two count that came back right there.

Three one breaking ball.

You don't see that too much.

Deep breath from Vandenberg.

He's good.

I look like a strike.

Look like a strike.

And bottom fell out.

And Eli gets on base with the walk.

Yeah.

Doubled up right there with the breaking ball.

But great job by Eli McCullough like you said.

Now you get senior outfielder coming up Andy Black Hank.

Black and white combination.

Black at the plate.

White over on third base.

I'll see if Mount out of gets anything going for first and third offense right here.

See how Taylor responds.

First and third defense.

Call it not going anywhere.

Black aggressive.

I think that was in Vandenberg mind a little bit.

You see Mount Ida attacking early with the first hitter and maybe a something they're thinking you we're going to go attack his first pitch.

And that you know let him get to his pitches later on.

Let's go get that first pitch.

And then he starts nibbling a little bit throwing off the plate.

Yeah.

The Lions have been very aggressive all year.

We talked about the batting average.

But it's how they're aggressive.

They are in the count and catch up to that high fastball.

And now it's dealer's choice.

At this point it's zero two.

The biggest thing you want to do as you know make sure it's not over the middle of the plate.

We've seen two strike hits all weekend long.

Stay out of the middle of the plate right here for Vandenberg.

He's shown several different pitches.

He can throw anything right here.

You can't get.

Out.

Just miss the outside corner.

And great command right there.

That was a show me pitch.

And it was set up way off the plate right there.

And actually the Paul ran it did.

Those are back over to where it wasn't supposed to be.

Had a lot of run out.

There.

He's the breaking ball.

Got to have faith in your catcher to throw that pitch.

Absolutely okay I think that he's he's burying his changeup right there.

If I'm looking at the grip right.

So he can turn it over a couple different ways.

I got to be careful right there.

Just and while he's on the mound right there he get called for a balk to two.

Count three gets under that.

Shortstops got that one measured.

And Jones makes the player.

That's Smith making the play.

So Vandenberg works out a little jam leaves runners stranded on the corners.

Taylor will try to get on the scoreboard when we come back.

Stick around.

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Let's take a look at the Taylor Tigers batting order.

Jasper Jones is going to lead things off.

Senior is out in left field.

Canon Fowler, junior hitting second.

Tucker Smith, followed by Jacob Vandenberg.

The pitcher hitting clean up Wade Barton, Carson Anders, Max Montgomery, Carson Franks and Abraham Andrews.

Playing third is what the defense looks like for Mount Ida.

Start out in the right field, you have Jacob Clark, Andy Black playing center field, Buck Miller and left, Eli McCullough at third, Chris Dorrell short Levi West and playing second.

Jake Gaston over at first, Jackson White behind the plate.

And Cain McCullough your starting pitcher today for Mount Ida.

All right.

We talked about all the stolen bases and stolen base attempts for Taylor.

We know that's going to be a big key.

First of all, you keep them off the base pass.

They can't steal anything.

That's right.

144 coming into today.

And how many times it's been caught this year?

Nine.

Nine I had nine.

I had actually 140, 545.

That's a heck of a ratio.

854 tips and he's still 145.

You want to do the math?

Yeah, but you won't do that math.

That's pretty good.

That's about 93%.

145 154.

Second pitch sales a little high on Jasper Jones.

That is 94%.

Got to my GPA right there about 94.

That outside corner.

Good pitch from McCullough.

Yeah.

What you're seeing from McCullough right here a little bit more velocity than what Vandenberg has.

Has that slider.

Taylor does this a lot that they'll show bunt early on just to show it good.

Play little mind games right there.

How long does it take for a pitc that would bother me.

Fouls that one off down the right field line.

Yeah.

It didn't bother me too much.

It's a it's a mental thing more than anything else.

They're playing head games and trying to get into McCullough's head right there.

It didn't bother me too much because my focal point was the catcher.

I'm looking through.

I'm looking through the batter.

I'm looking at my my targets, my focal point hitting.

I got a foul ball right there.

It went off his the knob of his bat.

Oh.

I'll see what he said.

He got him off the hand.

Yeah that did look like get him off the wrong.

I think.

Good job guys.

Good replay.

So like Mount Ida Taylor gets their first runner on the base.

Leadoff guy.

You think he's going to try to steal?

Haha.

That's I'm going to say yes.

How many pitches before he takes off to two over and unders at two at one and a half.

Not a good pitch to run on.

Yeah, that was kind of a little help your catcher out just in case.

A little high and outside.

Yeah they'll be surprised right here.

They start doing some small ball right Fowler is showing.

Bunt pulls it back now.

It floats outside.

Oh you can take a couple pitches.

Prove that he can throw a strike out of the stretch.

Yeah.

It's always important to see how a pitcher handles with.

Get me over strike.

Take a little something off.

He did see how they handled traffic the first time through Kane and Fowler, of course.

Coach Brian Fowler, son grew up around the game.

He up junior second baseman right on a huge lead for Jones.

Now he takes a bigger lead.

Gets back in there.

Not his best I'm going to say that was not McCullers a move right there okay.

Jones will take a small lead and then he extends it.

Yeah, it's the bunt down.

Should be an easy play.

And it is Cole.

It takes care of it easily.

But Jones goes over to second.

Yeah Taylor.

Very fundamental in everything they do.

West from their leads, their picks, everything they do is uniform.

You will see that throughout the day.

But the rain covers Tucker Smith up next.

Junior hitting 364.

Tucker Smith maybe a junior.

He's got a grown man facial hair out there.

Hey I'm not.

Yeah though I couldn't find it.

Luckily Jones had already turned his back and was going back to second base.

Jackson White, a sophomore for man out of behind the plate.

The white name is very familiar to Mount Ida fans.

And out there, coach Mike white.

To the wall.

Something off that one.

Two.

Got it over.

First strike.

It's interesting McCullough's got good velocity.

I mean you've seen you know he's probably been 8283 when he's ramped it up.

But he does a really good job body control.

Just taking it up taking it down a notch.

Yeah.

White blocks that one.

Good job.

You can get some big bounce off this turf if you you haven't caught on this turf before.

It's a lot different than it coming off dirt.

Came in on the hands.

Could be a little trouble, you know.

Not too much trouble out there.

And right for Clark.

Mark quickly gets it back in.

Nice play.

Who ended up being a foul ball.

But Clark gets over there.

Makes the catch.

Yeah.

Great speed great first step.

We've seen some outstanding catches.

Caden Rundle for Springdale Harbor last night.

Diving catch at center field.

Great first step right there by Clark to get to that ball.

Brings up Vanderburg pitcher hitting clean up hitting 373 on the season.

Little surprise Jasper Jones didn't tag right there.

He was off the off the bag a little bit.

Hang up yourself.

Vandenberg looks at the first one.

And white kind of pushed that ball.

That ball was a little below the strike zone.

Of course it was a ball.

But if white can get under that ball maybe a little closer, they got.

He's being a little careful here with the Vandenberg with the base open kind of similar situation we saw in the last half inning.

That's exactly right.

With McCullough up last.

And he had first base open.

Stays away.

But this time he catches the corner.

And then he wants to make sure he doesn't come into Vandenberg.

Hitting 373 on the year 28 RBI's has one home run.

Heading to Chase the cut action right there.

Vandenberg was upset with himself.

He slapped the bat.

Knew that wasn't his pitch.

Yep.

Okay, I'll take a crack.

Yeah, I heard the breaking ball.

What do you see out of McCullough?

That's.

That's several times now.

He's done the.

That's the biggest thing is we talked about his body control.

When he slows down that fastball, he just needs to be more consistent with his lower half.

Let that one rip a little bit.

And Vandenberg was late.

Yeah that felt like a quick pitch even though he didn't go through his set position right there.

He didn't balk, but it felt like a quick pitch because of how quick he was to the plate.

Oh, full count, two outs.

Oh, got the strike call.

So McCullough works out of a little jam.

We've had a couple runners in scoring position for both teams, but no clutch two out hits.

We remain scoreless.

Stick around.

Second inning.

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Nice crowd for this one eight state championship game between Mount Ida and Taylor.

We're scoreless heading to the second inning.

Westmore Kevin Bohannon with you.

Game number one of four today on Arkansas TV sports.

The softball game coming up.

And then another baseball game scheduled to start at four today.

And I say schedule.

Yeah, because I was just looking at the radar and it's coming.

It's just a matter of time.

And and softball game after this features the Taylor Tigers, their Taylor softball team, going against the Scranton Rockets.

The Lady Tigers are going for their ninth straight state championship with wow they are rolling and Taylor Chris Daryl leads us off for Mount Ida.

Well looks at the high fastball.

Well hitting 328 on the season ball.

And we'll make a prediction.

It's not going to be the rain that stops us.

It's going to be a lightning bolt that's going to get close enough that we're going to have to pull everybody off a little inside.

There are some I'm looking at radar now, some lightning bolts, kind of a little bit ahead of the rain.

And that's what's tough because that's mandatory 30 minutes in between strikes.

So.

It's number three of the inning finds the strike zone.

What's our proximity for lightning strikes 1010 miles.

Yep ten miles.

Looking at about 30 miles away right now.

All right.

Nice hit.

And a nice catch from Vandenberg line Drive.

That's the hardest hit ball of the game so far in work.

Nice smile and shaking his head.

Yeah.

If he had any nerves there, they're done now.

Great job building the position.

Better catch that kid.

Taking that off his right shoulder is awful close to his head.

To talk about pitchers being in good position.

That's what you want right there.

Good position to get the glove up to make a play.

Yeah.

Take a deep breath.

Yeah.

Buck Miller up next.

His first pitch swinging sophomore left fielder.

They rolled a long time right here.

No matter the the classification these young guys that have started in the state championship games are good looking kids.

West.

Buck oh gets.

Did he catch it or not.

He did catch it.

Wow.

What a play.

Smith over there diving catch robs a base hit from Buck Miller.

All right I'll go ahead and do it.

No no no no no no he has a replay right here.

Full extension.

Yes, sir.

Oh oh was his sunglasses that came off his head.

I thought that was the ball.

What a great play to well-struck balls by man out of two.

Don't overlook that fact.

Two line drives great defensive plays Tucker Smith will remember that for a while.

Ty Speer, a senior designated hitter, number 64 in your program, folks.

Yeah, not often you see a 64.

I think out of the four years that I've been doing this for Arkansas TV, it's the first time I've seen number 64.

Could he be an offensive lineman?

And he just taking his football jersey to the baseball field.

Pops that one up.

Simple.

That stays in play.

No man I have known for their ground and pound offense under Mike white.

We've seen a couple of shirts out here.

Veer the veer he looks like he could be a guard for the man out of lines on the football field.

Yeah I'm going with that theory.

He's 64 in football and 64 in baseball.

One two count.

Yeah.

Can't find the outside corner.

No.

Saint Vandenberg he the front shoulder keeps flying open a little west.

He needs to stay close a little bit longer.

Drive down hill.

Yeah.

That one off.

Got in on his hands a little bit.

I'll do two.

Two again at Taylor.

We're in there.

Anthracite.

They got new uniforms this year.

Got the Tigers on the bats right there.

You get a good look at it.

They've got about 3 or 4 different uniforms.

It's always look good.

Yeah it's a little piece of that.

But it's just going to go right to the glove of Fowler.

123.

Vandenberg settling down thanks to his defense and his own defense.

See if Taylor can get on the board.

When we come back, you're watching Centennial Bank state Championships on Arkansas TV sports.

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No score in the bottom of the second.

Taylor coming up.

It'll be Barton Anderson.

Montgomery.

Franks hoping to get a chance to hit with some runners in scoring position.

So far the pitchers getting it done.

Kim McCullough back on the mound for Mount Ida.

They call it hit a batter in the first, but then got a field to his position for the bunt.

Throughout.

The runner got a fly ball to right and then the strikeout to end the inning.

Yeah.

Wade Barton started last year a sophomore for the Tigers in center field.

The McCullers spike got hung up right there in the turf micro.

So a little bit of the SEC tournament yesterday.

Not of course turf but ground ball to short and easy play.

Throws high.

Sailed on the rail.

Like he did everything right and then just rushed the throw with the you.

Yeah.

He kind of got stone feet like on concrete feet where he didn't keep his feet moving right there and just sailed it a little bit.

You see replay right there.

Just didn't keep his feet moving.

And you probably felt a little pressure to the slow ground ball.

He did not attack it either.

And that allowed Barton to get down the line.

It was hit right adding yeah.

And sometimes it's hard to read it when it's coming right at you.

How hard is it actually hit?

Probably for him a little bit.

And once again Taylor gets the leadoff runner on.

First time around it was a hit batter.

This time an error.

So a couple of gifts could not take advantage of it.

In the first inning Kason Anders up senior hitting 273.

And right away you see that stolen base.

And we knew it was just a matter of time before they got going.

And they wanted to test Jaxon White's arm behind there.

And guarantee coach Brian Fowler will keep it.

Keep the train rolling.

And you got like, oh 000000 yeah Jose outside two one count.

Oh and Andrews the catcher.

We've seen him block some pitches.

There is one to hit and that's off of McCullough.

McCullough gets the ball back those over to first.

Keep the runner at second.

His pitchers got to be on their toes.

That's the second time second line drive right at the pitcher.

Yeah.

Great job right there.

Knock knock McCullough's glove off right there.

Here we go.

Did a good job.

Composure.

Just throw it over there to first.

Yeah.

Didn't Rush's throw or anything.

Very composed.

And he's doing okay generally.

Did that hit the glove or hit him I think it hit him I kind of knocked not knocked it off.

The way he was turned.

Max Montgomery up.

Here's a good look at the replay.

I dig him right there in the back.

Tough kid.

Taylor with three sophomores down at the bottom of the lineup seven.

Eight nine.

Yeah.

Gummer hitting 286.

Hit right down.

I think he leads the team in RBI 35.

Yeah, but you don't see how the seven over.

No.

That's why I wrote that down I was like he is come up clutch for them a lot towards the bottom of the lineup.

Clutch hit here to get them the first run of the game.

That's right.

But leave it to coach Brian Fowler.

He's got a few more state championships than we do.

So go in there.

Want depth in that line.

Yeah.

Spread them out.

Every spot has its job.

Come on Jones.

Opposite field with it.

Little late.

Fouls it off and see you know I always look at swings with I'm looking at swings and analyzing swings.

You know Montgomery does a really good job of keeping his hands inside the ball right there.

So he's got a little inside out going so he can use it line to line gap.

The gap.

Can't really shift a guy like that.

Especially with the runner on second right there.

Montgomery is looking to shoot something to right field.

Shortstops playing behind the base will pick off attempt.

A halfway through that little quick move.

Yeah.

Almost looked like he wanted to backhanded.

One two count.

Got it right in the back.

No breaking ball right there.

Just backed up a little bit on McCullough and the Tigers.

Got something rolling by after a second batter to hit.

I think they've got had three base runners and they haven't gotten a hit yet.

Yeah they've been hit twice in the air.

It brings up, Carson Franks.

Frank's playing out in right field.

Another sophomore cable was saying they go sophomore sophomore sophomore at the bottom of this lineup.

New Braunfels not afraid to start these young guys.

He started freshman before sophomore.

It doesn't matter if you can play.

You get in the lineup.

Frank standing up right.

You're left here.

Oh crap.

Is down.

That one gets away from white.

Runners will move up.

And now you got something to work with.

Let's see what Coach Brown Fowler dials up right here.

The bottom part of his lineup.

All right guys yet 891 coming up.

Well small ball here.

Oh a little opportunistic baseball.

You see coach Brian Fowler giving the signs there.

Their motto hold the rope.

They've had that for the last five years.

Andrews comes up at third gas and comes up first.

That's a good block by white.

Don't even drill it.

Short is playing in a little bit right in the base path.

Not nearly as deep.

Yeah I have a little conference here now.

No, now they're bringing the baby.

Oh, I thought they were going.

I thought Darrell was coming in to talk to the pitcher.

He's just coming in all the way, you know, leave West in at second.

Back a little further right now and we'll see what happens.

You you can go corners in right here.

You don't want to bring them all in because you usually in this situation you want to come corners in leave your middle infield big that way you can at least get an out right here and still take a chance on cutting down the run at home, because you do have one out.

Two.

One count time call home plate umpire Kelly Roach making sure everybody set.

Oh what huge lead at second.

Not that he's going anywhere, but I mean if there's a ball to the outfield he's going to score easily.

Absolutely.

I mean I thought McGovern was going to go to the third.

Wait.

There's a runner at third.

Montgomery was halfway to third.

Yeah.

And he's going as far as he's going.

And what did you tell the guy at second right there?

Go as far as the fielders are.

Yeah.

Late fouls that one off.

Yeah.

And one thing you've seen just about every two strike count Taylor Tigers they will show.

But it may be a timing mechanism for them to where they kind of do a slash right there and they're comfortable with it.

When go full count.

Big pitch out here.

You do have one out.

Flashes that the third short he misplayed it.

Run scores.

Mount Ida gives up a run there a couple of errors in the inning really helping Taylor.

Looked up looked up, took his eye off of it.

And you got to wonder if that error on the first batter of the inning with Wade Barton, if that was in his head right there, Chris Merrill, he's just got to flush it.

Move on Montgomery had to go back to short man to mess with him a little bit.

All that back and forth in front of the shortstop.

But runners on first and second one out.

Bottom of the lineup Abraham Andrews up now the sophomore playing third.

Probably.

A big batter here for McCullough.

Got the top of the lineup coming up.

Don't want to load the bases.

Great job right there.

Getting ahead of the batter.

Oh to right.

Now he can attack.

No, no.

Defensive swing there.

Hey, those Taylor hitters are just pesky West.

They grind every at bat.

You saw the backwards cave from Vandenberg, but they do not give an inch at that plate.

That's why they're so tough.

Down out of one.

That call did not get it.

Just drop below the zone right there.

Kind of get white.

And he's a young catcher West.

But if you work under that ball and present it just a little bit better, he may get that pitch when he goes inside.

And some of the, fans out there uncovered areas starting to get the rain jackets out.

Get our cameras covered.

Two to count, one out.

Runners in scoring position.

Big pitch for McCullough.

Pops him up.

It's going to be out in the middle.

Medium short centerfield.

Catch is made for the third.

Runners can't advance.

Big out for McCullough.

Absolutely right there.

Got ahead of him.

Oh two.

Then Andrews came back.

Even the count up right there.

Now you get to top the lineup.

Coming up Jasper Jones Reese with a hit by pitch on two two count his first time up.

Now see the top of the lineup.

Can get something going for.

Tag the Tigers with two outs.

Cole a chance to get out of this inning.

Limit the damage just to one run.

You can handle that.

Tie high.

He brought a little heat on that one.

Yeah.

Got to stay in his legs, though.

That's the thing.

That's why he's high on that.

He's kind of short step and short stride.

He strides out little longer.

He can get that down a little bit.

They.

Look Montgomery at second.

Franks over at first.

I again.

If you get a walk right here.

If I'm TJ Wilson, I'm coming out and talking to my senior.

Settle him down a little bit.

Look, it's only one.

Nothing.

Okay?

You get bases loaded right here.

It's only one.

Nothing for one out.

Away from getting back in the dugout.

One pitch away, one pitch.

Good pitch.

Yeah, he got the corner.

White held it there for home plate.

Umpire.

Take a good look at it.

A swinging strike out came high.

Change the eye level on him a little bit.

And Jones knows it.

Now.

The mount of that infield needs to be big right here.

The runners are going to be off with the pitch going across the infield, two high bases loaded.

Montgomery moves over to third.

Branch to second.

Jones go to first.

Can and Fowler up next.

Now you got to Wonder West at Canon Fowler a little speed right here.

But like we said TJ Wilson coming out and talking to his senior.

Fowler sacrificed in his first two at bat.

Got the bunt down.

Moved Jones over to second.

And seacoast TJ Wilson talking a little fundamentals and mechanics right there.

That's what I was talking about earlier.

He needs to stay engaged on that back hip a little more in stride out.

That's what he's talking about.

Show your chest to the plate West.

That's what he's telling the senior.

Good little pep talk.

McCullough did a good job in the first inning.

Had runner on second and only one out and got Tucker Smith to fly out to right.

And then got the backwards K to end the inning.

So he's already been pitching with some runners in scoring position.

Yeah.

Right now honestly the Taylor is hitless with runners in scoring position.

It was the error that brought home the run that was a great first pitch strike.

Absolutely there.

It was documented after a coach visit to the mound, 85% of the next pitch is a strike.

So B swing be swinging.

A lot of movement, a lot of good movement on that one.

Just didn't find the strike zone.

Yeah, just just died at the plate right there.

And white just took it down.

Yeah.

Floats outside two one count.

If I'm a color right here.

Slow it down.

Control the breathing up.

Three just missed outside.

Let's hear the groans from the Mount Ida fans on that fastball.

And it's got a little arm side run on it right there.

So what you want you want to start that ball over the middle and let it run to the outside.

Yeah a little low.

And that'll bring in a Taylor run.

The second run of the inning.

Back to back walks.

Just been a rough inning for Mount.

Had a couple of errors a couple of walks.

Had a hit batter and still don't have a hit in this hitting Dewey.

They don't have a hit for the game.

No.

Now they're up two nothing.

One it in here.

Tucker Smith who made that Sportscenter web gem last inning.

Both on both runs unearned.

This in two walks, two errors and two hit batter, bases loaded, two outs.

Yeah.

Is two oh count.

I know Michael is frustrated right now because he's just missing West, but Taylor Tigers, they know their strike zone.

They're very good veteran hitters at the plate.

They they're not going to swing at it Tucker Smith hitter's count runs outside low 230.

Count.

That'll be the last pitch for Michael.

Yes.

You're in auto take land right here.

If you're Tucker Smith.

What you.

That catches the outside corner.

Still taking.

Yep.

These guys are really good with two strikes.

They have to worry about that third walk in a row Taylor with their third run of the inning.

Number one we got a pitching change now.

All right.

We'll tell you about the new pitcher when we come back.

Stick around.

Taylor's got three and looking for more.

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That's a look at the new Mount Ida picture.

Got the change on the mount.

Jake Gaston is entering the game.

Gaston the freshman.

Cabo.

Big moment for him.

And you know if if you're Taylor right now, you want to make it hurt.

You've already scored three this in.

You got bases loaded.

You got two outs.

You got a freshman on the mound.

This is where they can do damage right here and really take advantage of this game.

The lefty swing different look after Cain McCullough leaves the game.

All unearned runs on a McCullough in this inning.

Defense led him down.

He's upset with himself with all the walks too.

He issue three straight walks.

Also hit a batter.

So a lot of free bases and they've already it should have already been out of the inning.

West you had the two errors.

Yeah.

Unfortunate circumstances for McCullough.

First pitch gets over for a strike.

Luckily the Taylor fans weren't changing the ball.

Eight ball nine.

Vandenberg struck out looking in his first plate appearance in the first inning.

He gets on.

They've batted around.

Yeah, he stands up high.

Yeah.

If you're if you're the cleanup hitter, senior pitcher, you don't want to in both innings in your first two at bats.

Back there.

That was a good pitch.

And some nice velocity flares it out to right field.

It's going to be foul.

Good swing right there by Vandenberg and just missed that right field line.

Hits the guy.

One thing I think.

There's some murmuring out in the crowd.

That's the rain starting.

Big moment here.

One, two.

Count comes inside.

Bounces off Vandenberg battling right here.

Nobody better like go.

Yeah you got to you know they've had a lot of two strike counts you know no one for the last six hitters Gaston one two pitch hitting yep.

Hitting.

So three walks two hit by batter or hit batters and two errors.

And Taylor bats around without a hit.

Without a hit, they've scored four runs without a hit, out of hit.

You see, we got a courtesy runner over first base for Vandenberg in high school baseball.

You can curse.

You run for the pitcher in the catcher.

Wade Barton bats now with the bases loaded.

Junior center fielder started the inning with the simple ground ball to short.

Yeah, that's where it started.

He advanced, stole second base, and then advanced to third on a wild pitch and he was the first round of the inning.

But they van horn talks about it all the time.

How you hate strikeouts.

You got to at least get the ball in play.

You never know what happens once you hit it.

Yeah, make them beat you.

That's the biggest thing.

Don't beat yourself.

Make them beat you.

Make them field the ball.

You saw it when Arkansas really got on this run where it was at Alabama and Alabama started making errors.

Just LeBron at shortstop.

You want them to be able to beat you.

Bases loaded.

Two outs back sails outside for Gaston.

Oh, yeah, I know Gaston hated Lewis Vandenberg out there.

He had two strikes on him like we were talking about.

It was A12 count.

He hit him.

The other hit batter was A12 count, wasn't it?

It was.

Yeah.

You get ahead.

Feeling good about making your pitch.

Then he hit the batter and give him a free base.

It just stings a little bit more.

Pops that one up beat that one might stay in play.

First baseman's got a play on it and ends the inning on the mound.

Ida gets out of the bases loaded.

Jam.

Could have been a whole lot worse.

Could have been a whole lot better.

Yeah, it's one of those weird innings.

Four runs across the plate for Taylor.

We'll see if Mount Ida can respond.

Stick around.

Excellent.

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