Sparrow gets final out with tying run on third base as Liberty goes extra innings in comeback victory

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — With the tying run on third base with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning, pitcher Reed Sparrow got Eli Olson to ground out to first baseman Gavin Edgar for the final out in Liberty’s 7-6 victory over Jacksonville Routt on Thursday afternoon in a high school baseball game.

Two singles and a walk allowed the Rockets to load the bases with one out in the eighth. Dalton Brown then hit a ground ball to second baseman Dylan Hocking, who got the forceout at second. However, Liberty couldn’t complete a double play, and one run scored before Olson’s final at-bat. 

The Eagles (11-9) scored twice in the top of the eighth. Jackson Sims reached base on an error with one out, and pinch runner Charlie Curry moved to third on Sparrow’s single to right. Sparrow advanced to second on the play. 

Evan Sims then hit a ground ball to third, and Curry beat the throw home. Edgar then singled to drive in Sparrow. 

Liberty trailed 5-2 entering the top of the sixth but scored three runs to tie the game. An error and two walks loaded the bases, and an error by the Routt shortstop allowed two runs to score. A walk to Jackson Sims loaded the bases, and a walk to Sims forced in the tying run.

Jack Sparrow, Reed Sparrow, Jackson Sims and Layne Bent each had two hits for the Eagles, and Evan Sims drove in three runs. Reed Sparrow earned the victory in relief, allowing two hits, one walk and one run in three innings.