How Harrisburg baseball avoided playoff heartbreak to keep its season alive

Harrisburg (18-6) became the first Boone County program to punch its ticket to a district final and tied a program record in wins. On Friday, the Bulldogs defeated Fayette 7-4 in the Class 2, District 7 semifinal in Harrisburg.

While a three-run victory propelled the Bulldogs to the next round, the final score doesn't show how close and nerve wracking the contest was. Despite Fayette being six games under .500 and already losing to Harrisburg 13-2 on April 18, it came into districts with determination. The Falcons defeated Slater 18-16 on Thursday and carried the momentum into Friday's matchup.

In the words of Harrisburg head coach Chris Ackman, "They made things stressful," as the perfect storm for an upset brewed early. Sloppy play defensively aided a sizeable lead for the Falcons. In the top of the third inning, Fayette's Jacob Wood collected an RBI, and in the process, the throw from third base to first went over the first baseman's head, allowing one more to run to come home, making it a 3-1 game.

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While the Bulldogs trailed, the team knew its successful season could be over in a blink of an eye, but kept its composure and remained confident.

It's a mentality that the Bulldogs picked up over their last three games where they went 2-1 against Sturgeon (9-10), Northeast (Cairo) (14-5) and New Franklin (15-6).

"All three games were tight. We've been talking about the pressure in these games as you get to the postseason. It's good for us to be in those situations," Ackman said. "We talked about going into today that those pressure situations now it's a little more pressure because there is no tomorrow."

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The team's two seniors would be the forefront of a comeback charge. Senior Austin Starbuck's start on the mound wasn't the prettiest, as he gave up five hits and three runs in 3.0 innings, but he delivered with his bat. In the bottom of the third stanza, he delivered a ground ball with two outs that brought home a run, tying things up.

Both teams traded runs in the fourth but in the bottom of the fifth innings, senior Carter Bremer and Starbuck both got on base thanks to a bunt and a passed ball. This set up Hunter Caldwell, who notched an RBI groundout to put Harrisburg back in front for good at 5-4.

"A lot of our rallies start with that chunk of our lineup, the 3-4-5, so it definitely helps," said Bremer on if he thought the fifth inning was a turning point in the game.

It was Bremer that delivered the dagger in the bottom of the sixth. With two on second and third, he smashed a ball into right field, extending the lead to three runs that would hold the rest of the way.

"I watched the first pitch go by, and I was like, man, I should've hit that one," Bremer said. So, I couldn't let myself get in a bad count. He was throwing a little bit slower than the first guy, so I didn't let the ball travel. I just took a little bit off my swing and let it hit the other way."

With a roster of just 12 players, the Bulldogs have been crucial in Harrisburg's success this season and Friday was a microcosm as they were pivotal in the team advancing.

"I'm proud of Austin and Carter and what they've done with our program," Ackman said. "They've been really good leaders for us this year with a young group."

Harrisburg will take on Salisbury (7-11), who defeated fifth-seeded Marceline on Thursday and one-seeded Westran prior to the second semifinal game. The Bulldogs and Panthers met on April 4 where Harrisburg came away victorious in an offensive shootout by a score of 18-11.

Focusing in on the defensive aspect of the game will key in order for the Bulldogs to come away victorious.

"I think we really got to focus on the pitching aspect," Starbuck said. "Just first pitch strike and trying to avoid walks and hit by pitches. Just make them earn every base runner they get."

It will be Harrisburg's fourth straight appearance in the district championship game. The Bulldogs matched up with Salisbury in the district final in 2021 and 2022, coming away victorious the first time. Last season, Harrisburg defeated Westran to claim the district crown.

With two days rest and reflecting on the victory Bremer and Starbuck are happy to keep their seasons alive.

"A win is a win," Starbuck said. "It doesn't have to be pretty. We've now played for four district titles."

First pitch between both teams is scheduled for 6 p.m. in Harrisburg

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Inside Harrisburg's district title game berth