Gage Posey probably had a sore back after Friday’s  11-0 victory over the Central Private Rebels in Game 2 of the Class AA state playoffs. The southpaw pitcher, picked up the Cougars and carried them to victory. He authored a 1-hitter and ended the 5-inning game with a walkoff, 3-run homer in Harold Williams Ballpark.

     The must-win victory secured a third game in the best-of-three series and the Cougars responded with a 7-3 triumph over the Rebels later that night.

     Posey, a talented junior, struck out 3 batters and walked 2. A second-inning single by Layton Laird was the only hit CP could muster as the Cougars played lights-out defense.

     “Our defense helped me out and let me pitch with confidence,” said Posey. “We went down there and they barely beat us,” he added, recalling Tuesday’s 2-0 loss at Baker, La. when the Rebels got a 2-out, walkoff homer in the bottom of the seventh.

     “Gage was a little tender but he pitched well,” said BA coach Casey Edwards. “He battled through it.”

     CP coach Jason Kinchen agreed. “Posey’s curve and fastball were working well. He kept us off balance.”

     The Cougars took a 1-0 lead in the bottom off the first off starting pitcher Chase Martin. Will Lucas led off with a walk and came around to score when Hunter Franklin delivered a 2-out, hard single past third base.

     The hosts possted a 2-0 led in the third. It was another 2-out situation as Landon Nettles was hit by a pitch. Franklin singled past the shortstop and Posey provided his first of 3 hits on a single down the right field line.

     The 8-run fifth was decisive. BA sent 11 batters to the plate and collected 5 hits. Austin Travis slapped a 3-RBI double, making it 6-0. Franklin drove in the eighth run, setting the state for Posey’s base-clearing clout off relief pitcher Hunter Wallace.