Midway through the season, when he was given the choice to move up in the batting order, South Pittsburg senior Andy Case chose to stay in the eighth spot, believing he would see more fastballs.
In the fifth inning of Monday’s District 6-A winners-bracket game at Lookout Valley, just after the Pirates’ five-run lead had been cut to three, Case clobbered a first-pitch fastball well over the 330-foot center-field wall for a three-run home run. That not only provided breathing room for the top seeds but started a late rally that led to a six-inning 12-2 victory over the host Yellow Jackets.
“I knew as soon as I made contact,” said Case, who went 2-for-3 with four RBIs, including his seventh homer of the season. “It was just a great feeling.
“We came in with a serious attitude and one goal. We’ve had solid pitching and defense all year, and now everybody’s hitting the ball, so we feel pretty good.”
The Pirates on Wednesday will play the winner of today’s losers-bracket final between Lookout Valley and Marion County.