LEBANON, Tenn. – With one out in the bottom of the seventh inning, the bases full and a 2-2 count, Cameron Costo ripped a high fly to center field.
“This is the best experience of my life,” the junior exclaimed after that high fly – a sacrifice in the scorebook – scored the only run of the game Tuesday night as underdog McCallie upended Briarcrest Christian.
The Blue Tornado advance to today’s winners-bracket final against Brentwood Academy, a 7-0 winner over Pope John Paul II. That game is scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m. EDT at Wilson Central High.
In the seventh, McCallie’s Dane Beard singled to center and advanced to third on a two-base throwing error. Pinch-hitter Kahler Youngblood walked and eventually stole second before Chuck Marsh walked to load the bases. After a strikeout, Costo worked the count to 2-1, then swung at a high fastball to even it at 2-2. He then hit a fastball deep enough into center field to score Beard.
“I had been looking for curveballs and (reliever Zach Lewallen) kept throwing fastballs,” Costo recalled. “I was just thinking hit one over the shortstop’s head. I got inside of (a fastball) and was able to get on it.”