As they continue to learn how to deal with pressure, the Parklane Academy Pioneers may have found the person to handle it best.
Hunter Authement drew a bases-loaded walk to score Brandon Austin with one out in the seventh inning, Austin pitched out of trouble the final two innings and the Pioneers rallied for a 6-5 victory over the Copiah Academy Colonels Tuesday night at Parklane Academy.
It was the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools Class 2AAA opener for both teams.
The two teams will meet again Thursday at 5 for a doubleheader at Copiah Academy.
Trailing 4-2, Copiah scored three runs in the top of the sixth to take a 5-4 lead. The Colonels erupted for three hits and a walk off Parklane reliever Authement, who took over for starter Jordan Taylor after a 35-minute rain and lightning delay.
After Parklane (8-5, 1-0) coach Michael Clements brought in Austin, the right-hander walked the first two batters he faced to load the bases, but recovered to get Lathan Pyron on an infield groundout to end the inning.
Two more walks off Austin in the seventh put Copiah runners on first and third with two out. Austin then got Casey Hurley on a grounder to Taylor at third to squelch the threat.
“Early in the season, we used Brandon as a starter,” Clements said. “As a senior, he knows what it takes to be a closer. He’s got good movement and he does a good job keeping guys off balance.”
Clements said he saw Austin’s potential as a closer during the Pioneers’ 13-1, five-inning victory over Canton Academy last Thursday. In that game, Austin pitched a scoreless fifth inning, striking out two.
Against Copiah, the Pioneers’ seventh-inning rally opened on pinch hitter Walt Aldridge’s single that bounced over the head of pitcher Trevor Blocker into center field. Austin then dropped a bunt down the first-base line and legged it out for a single. Jordan Taylor’s line-drive single to center loaded the bases.
Nathan Taylor followed with a chopper to first baseman Ty Higginbotham, who briefly dropped the ball before recovering for the force. Aldridge scored the tying run. Zach Smith was intentionally walked to load the bases with one out.
Authement battled to a full count against Blocker, before coaxing the walk that forced home Austin with the game-winning run.
“I’m proud of these guys,” Clements said. “They showed a lot of heart and a willing to fight back.”
Copiah took advantage of three walks off Jordan Taylor and a Parklane fielding error to break out on top 1-0.
The Pioneers got a walk and single to put runners at second and third with one out in the bottom of the first, but failed to score.
Landon Mabile reached on an error and eventually advanced to third with two outs in the second, but was stranded there.
Copiah added to its lead in the third when Hurley led off with a double to deep left-center field and scored on a Parklane fielding error to make it 2-0.
Parklane broke out and took the lead with a four-run bottom of the third. The Pioneers’ initial run came on doubles from Austin and Nathan Taylor. Smith followed with a double down the left-field line. Taylor only got to third on Smith’s hit, playing it safe in case the shot was caught.
Authement followed with a single to center that scored Taylor with the tying run. Authement took a wide turn around first base and went to second when second baseman Colton Brown missed the cutoff throw from the outfield. The miscue allowed Smith to score the go-ahead run.
After a walk to Aultman, Mabile’s grounder was misplayed by shortstop Mitch Little, allowing Authement to score for a 4-2 Parklane advantage.
After his early-inning struggles, Jordan Taylor settled in and left after allowing two unearned runs and four hits in five innings of work. He walked five and struck out one. Parklane pitchers issued 10 walks in the game.
