Rivals Baylor and McCallie have faced off in high-stakes situations countless times over the years, and tonight their baseball teams will meet with a spot in the Division II-AA state semifinals on the line.
The decisive game in their best-of-three series comes after they split a doubleheader Wednesday at Baylor, with McCallie winning the opener 13-5 before Baylor bounced back for a 3-1 victory.
The Red Raiders (19-12) forced the third game as Gavin Roberson outdueled Blue Tornado ace Corbin Brooksbank. Roberson threw a three-hitter, striking out eight and walking none while giving up an unearned run.
“He’s a senior, a four-year guy,” Baylor coach Billy Berry said. “He’s been in that situation plenty of times. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: He’s a bulldog, and he did it again tonight.”
Roberson mixed his pitches well, with his breaking ball keeping the McCallie hitters off balance.