It wasn't a matter of if there were going to be any mistakes, but rather which team could overcome them.
In the end, Hixson came out on top after limiting its mistakes down the stretch to secure an 8-4 victory over Central in Tuesday night's District 6-AA showdown.
"We were able to capitalize on their mistakes when the bases were loaded," Hixson coach Colton Green said. "Next few runs guys got some hits and we pitched well, so it's a good win."
In a game marred by seven errors between the two squads, the Wildcats (11-6) prevailed after twice coming from behind to tie the score. After the Purple Pounders' Alex Bingham came home on a passed ball in the bottom of the first inning, Landon Wallace tied the game in the top of the second with an RBI single to right field.
Central (5-12) tallied three runs in the fourth inning with a little small ball and a couple of throwing errors by the Wildcats. Colby McKinney's RBI infield single made the game 3-1, and he scored later in the inning on an errant throw to third.
But again, Hixson answered the call. Tyler Weaver cleared the bases to even the score again at 4-4 after his fly ball to right was dropped in the outfield. The Wildcats took the lead in the sixth when a Vaughn Coblentz bunt single scored Kenan Markum, and they added three more runs in the inning to ultimately secure the win and stay undefeated in the district.
"Things fell, but they didn't fall our way," Central coach Glen Carter said. "Balls were falling in situations when they should have been out three, and that killed us. It didn't work out for us because we kind of lost some composure and it got us out of our element. Hixson just put us away when they could."
Tanner Moylan pitched six strong innings for the win, allowing one earned run while striking out five hitters. Meanwhile, Alex Rollins scored twice in the game out of the nine hole.
As for Chattanooga Central, Walker Waters pitched two outs into the sixth inning, striking out seven before being pulled.
Contact Anthony Sigismond at sports@timesfreepress.com