Barker beats throw on infield grounder in bottom of eighth to score winning run for Payson Seymour

PAYSON, Ill. — Lane Barker beat the throw home on a ground ball to second base and scored the winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning as the Payson Seymour baseball team captured an 8-7 victory on Wednesday afternoon.

Isiah Brass set down Central (7-16) in order in the top of the eighth. Barker and Blake Schwartz both walked to lead off the bottom of the inning. After Connor Howell flew out to center, Barker and Schwartz both advanced a base on a passed ball.

Hunter Miller was intentionally walked to load the bases. Nolan Sparks then hit a ground ball to Colton Cooley at second base, who fired home to Luke Ippensen, but Barker beat the throw to win the game.

Central used two walks and six hits to score four runs in the top of the seventh to tie the game. Cooley hit an RBI double, and Ippensen and Grant Hamilton both had RBI singles. Briggs Wiskirchen’s RBI single tied the score at 7-7.

Schwartz had three hits and two stolen bases, and Miller, Sparks and Nick Boone all had two hits for the Indians (9-11), who also benefited from eight walks.