Kirbyville fought all day against a mighty Wall team and had a chance for the win but misplays on the field and base paths would undo a great season.
Leading 4-3 entering the bottom of the seventh inning the Wildcats would misplay a popup in foul territory into a walk that would eventually tie the score. Their shaky seventh included two more walks and three pitching changes, the last with Mason Laney replacing Tyler Brown with a 2-0 count and the bases loaded.
After coming back from a deficit of 2-0 after three innings Kirbyville would take the lead 4-3 in the sixth inning off a Hunter Wallace single to score Justin Herriage. Senior pitcher James Burchett would be solid all day from the mound but his pitch count rose past 100 entering the seventh inning and after a leadoff walk to Walls' Kye Herbert Wildcat coach Craig Jones had to bring in reliever Tyler Brown.
Brown sandwiched two walks around a fielders choice and a fly out and with two outs was relieved by Laney with a 2-0 count on Jake Jansa and the bases loaded. Laney would walk Jansa tying the score and with the winning run 90 feet away would come up big and strike out Wall's Charlie Mascorro to end the inning.
Kirbyville would have another chance in their top of the eighth inning but an ill-advised base running error by Burchett would end the rally. Burchett was nailed trying to steal third base with one out that led to Wall relief pitcher Ryan Gully striking out Dillon Bishop to end their chances.
After Kirbyville went down in order in their top half of the ninth Wall would break their spirits after a two out double by Caleb Heuertz and a hard single up the middle by Gage Weishuhn. Hertz would come around to score the winning run as there would be no throw from the center fielder.
Kirbyville ends their season 33-8 and made history by making their first ever state tournament. The Wildcats only lose four seniors off this years squad and return eleven underclassmen, including seven freshmen and sophomores.
Wall will move on the play the winner of the Blanco vs Van Alstyne winner Saturday morning at 9am at Dell Diamond Stadium.
