May 23, 2015
Malden ends NMCC's district run 3-0
After back-to-back final four appearances highlighted by come-from-behind wins, New Madrid County Central saw its season come to a close in the Class 3, District 1 championship game Friday against Malden.
By Brent Shipman - Standard Democrat
sports@standard-democrat.com
MALDEN -- There was no playoff magic this time around.
After back-to-back final four appearances highlighted by come-from-behind wins, New Madrid County Central saw its season come to a close in the Class 3, District 1 championship game Friday at Malden High School.
Facing Malden in the title game for the third-straight year, NMCC saw defensive struggles and a pitching gem by Malden's Toby Miller result in a 3-0 loss.
"We just didn't play very good defense," NMCC head coach Joseph McClarty said. "Hats off to Toby as well. He did a great job on the mound. Him and catcher Parker McCormick seemed to really carry them. That's two seniors there that have been here for three years as well. They have a lot of experienced on their side. We didn't field it well enough and didn't swing it well enough."
Friday's meeting had a similar feel to the previous two title games with Malden coming in as the top seed and hosting the tournament. Each of the past two years the Eagles have played the underdog role perfectly, however, and upset the Green Wave for third and fourth place finishes in the state tournament respectively.
As expected in a championship game, both aces lived up to their billing as Miller and NMCC counterpart, sophomore Palmer Campbell, gave their team every opportunity to win.
The deciding factor was ill-timed defensive breakdowns by NMCC, who committed five errors to Malden's one. Those fielding problems compounded by aggressive Green Wave base-runners led to all three runs.
"We knew coming in we were going to have a hard time stealing," Malden head coach Tim Harmon said. "We wanted to pick spots and run first-move sometimes and try to disrupt things. You can't set back on your heels when you get to a game like this. You have to push the envelope, especially when you have a guy throwing like Campbell was."
Palmer's only, questionably, earned run came in the bottom of the second to give Malden the lead. With two outs and a runner on third, Brandon Stanley hit a routine ground ball to the second baseman.
A leisurely throw to first base wasn't in time to end the inning as a hustling Stanley was safe at the bag while McCormick, who stole third earlier in the inning, scored. Malden doubled its lead in the next frame when Shaeen Perkins reached on a walk before taking second on a passed ball.
On a ground out to the second baseman, Perkins looked to have been too greedy when the Eagles made the out at first before catching him in a rundown off third base. But before the out could be recorded, a throw to the catcher, Garrison Keene, was over his head and Perkins scored easily to make it 2-0.
Another pickoff throw at third in the sixth inning was overthrown into the outfield, allowing McCormick to score again and make up the 3-0 final.
"Gusty," Miller said of his team's base running. "But sometimes it doesn't take a bit hit."
Though his team gave Miller three runs to work with, one would have sufficed. He pitched seven shutout innings allowing only four hits and one walk. Miller also hit a pair of batters while striking out 13, including the side in the second inning.
"I felt like I had my stuff today," Miller said. "The defense backed me up. All-in-all it was a good day."
Miller's only real struggle came in the top of the sixth inning. With his team holding a two-run lead, Miller hit two batters and issued a walk to load the bases with two outs.
Getting ahead in the count early on the next hitter, Miller struck out Grayson York swinging on a 1-2 count to escape the threat.
Following disappointing finishes the past two years, Green Wave head coach Tim Harmon credits switching things up with helping his team in districts this season. It's Malden's first district championship since 2011.
"Fortunately today Miller was on and had his good stuff," Harmon said. "We practiced Wednesday when it rained us out and Miller and (Jeremy) Jones both threw in the FEMA building. They threw about 20 apiece and both of them were throwing hard. I think being off this last week of the season was key. We took off on purpose trying to do something different. We've always played right up until the end and I think maybe our pitchers wear down a little bit."
After shining in last year's playoffs, Campbell takes the hard luck loss. He pitched a complete game where he gave up five hits. two walks and fanned six. In each inning that Malden scored in the Eagles, Campbell came back to end the frame on a strikeout to limit the damage.
"I don't think I had my best stuff, but I thought I threw the ball pretty good," Campbell said. "(Well) enough to win, but sometimes that just happens."
Added McClarty, "Couldn't ask much more from Palmer. He was his normal self. He threw strikes, made them put the ball in play. Our defense just let him down. It's frustrating for our seniors, but I'm proud of the way we fought."
NMCC was outhit 5-4 with Drew Pikey's 2 for 3 effort at the plate leading the way. Tyler Sprouse collected a single and was hit to reach twice.
The team's only other hit came from leadoff hitter Kiel Causey, who hit a two-out double in the top of the seventh to keep his team's hopes alive. A high pop-up to short in the next at-bat ended the game and prevented any damage.
While giving Miller credit, Campbell wishes his team had been able to adjust to his counterpart's style to avoid such a quiet offensive performance.
"I think we were just pull happy," Campbell said. "Trying to yank everything and not just taking the ball the other way. He was throwing outside and we just didn't take it the other way."
For Malden, McCormick was 2 for 3 with a pair of steals and two runs scored. Perkins collected two hits and drew a walk to reach in all three appearances while scoring a run.
Brandon Stanley added a single to the cause.
Malden (24-5) moves on to host Scott City (18-12) in sectionals Monday at 4:30 p.m.
The loss leaves NMCC at 11-17 to end the year. They lose a total of nine seniors including starters Grayson York, Kiel Causey, Landon Martinez and Jake Reed.
"All you can ask for is to play for a championship," McClarty said. "The kids did great. I'm proud of them and we did deal with a lot of adversity. We had a little stretch there in the middle of the season where we could have packed it in. We didn't and we fought. Malden was just better today."
NMCC 000 000 0 - 0 4 5
Malden 011 001 x - 3 5 1
WP -- Toby Miller. LP -- Palmer Campbell. Multiple hitters: (N) Drew Pikey 2-3; (M) Shaeen Perkins 2-2, Parker McCormick2-3. 2B -- (N) Kiel Cuasey.
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