Neilsen steals home on wild pitch to beat Northport

ODESSA – The Tigers defeated the Northport Mustangs 7-6 Monday, May 9, at home in Odessa to make it into the next round of playoffs on Wednesday. After a 1-1 first inning, the Tigers added run in the second, fourth and sixth, while the Mustangs had a five-run sixth inning to tie things up. The game-winning run came in the seventh, when freshman Corbyn Neilsen was hit by a pitch to get on first base. After stealing second, then advancing to third on an error by the catcher, Neilsen then scored the winning run on a wild pitcher to batter Tucker Walter.

Another stellar play came in the second inning, when Neilsen again stole second after a walk put him on base and advanced to third on a passed ball. Bo Walter then hit a sacrifice fly to center field, and Neilsen scored after tagging third base.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E

ODSS 1 1 0 1 0 3 1 7 7 6

NRTH 1 0 0 0 0 5 0 6 7 1

Starting pitcher Collin Martin went 5.1 innings, allowing three runs on six hits, walking two and striking out 11. He was relieved by Nathan Carstensen in the fifth, who finished out the game. Carstensen gave up three runs on one hit and struck out two.

Odessa then knocked off Sunnyside Christian 16-6 Wednesday, May 11 and will head to the 1B state regional tournament. The Tigers' next opponent is undecided, but the tournament begins with a loser-out game Tuesday, May 17.