EDWARDSVILLE — Edwardsville Tigers defeated O’Fallon Varsity Panthers 6-5 in walk-off fashion Wednesday at Southern Illinois University, winning the IHSA Sectional semifinals when Andrew McCutchen singled home the deciding run in the bottom of the eighth inning.
The game was tied 5-5 when McCutchen delivered the winning hit, capping a comeback by Edwardsville after O’Fallon had erased a three-run deficit in the seventh.
O’Fallon opened the scoring in the top of the fourth on a single by Carson Bauer.
Edwardsville took control in the bottom of the sixth, scoring five runs on two hits to move ahead 5-2. The biggest hit of the inning was Ty Hunt’s double, which drove in two runs.
O’Fallon answered in the top of the seventh to tie the game. The Panthers scored on a fielder’s choice by Sam McCollum and a single by Brayden Robertson.
Hunter Baugh earned the win for Edwardsville, allowing four hits and three runs over two innings. He struck out one and walked one. Tony Eberlin started for Edwardsville and gave up six hits and two runs, one earned, over six innings. He struck out five and walked one.
Owen Stoffel took the loss for O’Fallon, allowing one run on two hits over 1 2/3 innings. He struck out four and walked one. Will Vanderheyden started for the Panthers and surrendered six hits and five runs, none earned, over 5 2/3 innings. He struck out five and walked five.
Edwardsville finished with eight hits, with the bottom of the lineup providing key production. Sutton Leas, Zane Maxwell and Nolan Vojak combined for four hits. Leas, the Tigers’ No. 8 hitter, went 3-for-3. Hunt went 1-for-1 and led Edwardsville with two RBIs. The Tigers also drew six walks.
O’Fallon collected 10 hits. Anthony Perez led the Panthers with three hits in four at-bats from the top of the lineup. Bauer had two hits in three at-bats.
