Cairo came back from down three runs to beat Higbee 4-3 Monday. Clayton Messer capped it off.
Conner Wright scored the winning run after nearly having a walk-off hit of his own. He had just doubled but Zander Holman was thrown out at home. It was the second straight inning the Higbee defense prevented a go-ahead run.
Higbee scored its first two runs in the opening inning but it could’ve been more if not for Cairo having a stellar defensive play.
On top of the outfield assist, Carson Hilke reached first four times in four different ways (walk, single, hit by pitch, error) to earn the Freeman Financial and Insurance Outstanding Player of the Game.
Higbee pitcher Robert Smith gave the Tigers a 3-0 lead in the top of the fifth with a sac fly. In the bottom half, he hit back-to-back batters to load the bases with nobody out. Higbee’s defense, though, turned an unconventional double play on a bunt attempt. Cairo’s Tristin Messer followed with a hard-hit ball that forced one of the game’s rare miscues.
The Bearcats used good deception on the basepaths that allowed Kason Ryan to score the tying run in the sixth inning.
Josh Zike started for Cairo and gave up all three runs while striking out eight over 4 1/3 innings. Reed Taylor came on in relief and earned the win.
Cairo catcher Conner Wright and coach Morgan Matthews Postgame:
Higbee coach Ryan Vogelgesang Postgame:
