Plenty of people write off the final district baseball games played Saturday. And for valid reasons.
The LHSAA playoff pairings that are released Tuesday are based on power ratings that course the entire season. District play is just one part of it.
But if I did that, you might not know about Cooper Smith’s game-winning, three-run home run that gave Live Oak, the No. 1 team in the LHSAA's Division I nonselect power ratings, a 4-2 win over Dutchtown and the District 5-5A title.
Or you might not know how Skyler Andrews’ diving catch preserved Zachary’s 1-0 victory over District 4-5A champion Catholic High.
“Maybe this is old school,” Live Oak coach Jesse Cassard said, "but if you want to win titles, the first one you should want to win is the district title. It starts there.”
But if you’re Zachary, there is a different end game — a momentum-seizing victory to snap a two-game losing streak.
The smile on Andrews’ face after Zachary’s 1-0 victory over the Bears illustrates the joy high school baseball brings.
“I told my other outfielders before the last at-bat no diving … keep the ball in front of you,” Andrews said. “I was barely playing in the gap and then the ball went into the gap.
“My mind went blank. I dove for it and did what I normally do in practice — catch it.”
Andrews’ play with two Catholic runners on, two out and two strikes on pinch hitter Michael Griggs in the bottom of the seventh inning also clinched a significant road win for the Broncos.
Catholic (28-5, 7-1) is No. 1 in the Division I select power ratings and is the reigning DI select and national champions. The Broncos (22-12, 6-2) lost to Central 2-1 and then to Catholic 3-0 earlier this week.
“Look, we’ve played in a lot of close games this year,” ZHS coach Jacob Fisher said. “We learned from those and winning this one was a big one for us.
“(Catholic) came in and beat us at home 3-0 and we felt like we were in it the whole way. We just did not have enough competitive at-bats. We had those today. And (Noah) Sullivan pitched well.
The Bears will be checking the next power ratings update to see if Holy Cross will overtake them for No. 1 spot in Division I select.
Meanwhile, the win could ensure Zachary a host spot in he first-round playoff game as at least a No. 16 seed in Division I nonselect.
Sullivan (7-1) scattered five hits and struck out four. Collin Walls’ RBI single in the top of the third brought Fischer Romero in to score the lone run.
Smith finished 3 for 3 with four RBIs to lead Live Oak. Both teams had five hits. Zant Gurney picked up the win for the Eagles.
“Games like this get you ready for the playoffs,” Cassard said.
