BEL AIR, Md. — Just about every baseball player has dreamed of hitting a walk-off homer in the bottom of the ninth inning to propel their team to a championship. For the Fighting Owls' Derek Poole that dream is now a reality.
With one out in the bottom of the ninth inning and the score tied at two, Poole stepped to the plate as a pinch hitter and launched a walk-off grand slam, lifting Harford Community College (52-5) to a dramatic 6-2 victory over WVU Potomac State College (33-13) to capture the NJCAA Region 20 Division I championship Saturday, at Harford Sports Complex.
"I honestly didn't know [if it was going to be a home run] because all day the wind was crazy," Poole said. "I just started going crazy and flipping my bat because it was a game-winner no matter what, whether it hit the wall or was a sacrifice fly. I was just pumped that I got the job done."
Harford had defeated Potomac State 11-1 earlier in the day to give the Catamounts their first loss in the double elimination tournament.
In a game defined by tight pitching, timely defense and limited scoring chances, the final inning of the afternoon's second game provided a stunning departure from the script.
Both teams spent much of the game locked in a pitcher's duel.
Harford struck first in the bottom of the opening frame, as Jack Fitzpatrick tripled to score Andrew Pedrick. The Fighting Owls added another run in the third on a Jeremy Reyes solo homer, putting early pressure on the Catamounts.
From there, the game settled into a rhythm dominated by pitching. Harford starting pitcher Kyle Tuthill worked through early traffic and found consistency, keeping the Catamounts off the scoreboard for five innings.
"I think in the first five innings I really did a good job getting ahead of hitters, putting myself in a position to make good pitchers and trusted my fielders behind me to make the plays they needed to make," Tuthill said.
But Potomac State finally broke through for two runs to tie it in the sixth. Tuthill finished the day after six and a third innings, striking out nine with no walks and surrendering those two runs on seven hits.
"In the sixth inning, I got a little complacent,"Tuthill said. "I was still getting ahead of hitters but in pitchers counts I was making too good of pitches and they capitalized off of them. I had to bear down and work out of it."
Matthew Galli came on in relief for the Fighting Owls and was brilliant. He pitched the final two and two thirds, allowing just one base runner via a walk and struck out four.
Potomac State's pitching staff was equally effective, limiting Harford's lineup and preventing any sustained offensive momentum. The Fighting Owls threatened at times, putting runners aboard in multiple innings, but were repeatedly turned away.
As the innings wore on, every pitch carried increased weight. The 2-2 score held into the ninth inning, setting the stage for a dramatic conclusion.
Harford's rally began with a Pedrick one out double, followed by back-to-back walks from Fitzpatrick and James Asmus. With one out and the bases loaded, the stage was set for Poole.
Called upon off the bench in the game's most critical moment, Poole faced a full count before delivering the swing that ended it. He drove the ball over the left field "Blue Monster" fence, sealing the championship in emphatic fashion.
"We actually had Derek [Poole] prepared to pinch hit since about the sixth inning," head coach Josh Houser said. "We looked into a number of things regarding the move and wanted to make sure the at bat he got fit what he does best. It didn't matter who was up, if there was a runner on third and less than two outs, [Poole] would have been hitting. We trust his ability to put the ball in play and get a job done in situations like that."
The decisive swing capped a game that featured limited scoring but constant tension. Both teams combined for just four runs through eight innings, underscoring the effectiveness of the pitching on both sides. Harford's ability to remain patient and capitalize in the final inning ultimately proved to be the difference.
Offensively, Harford's lineup showed persistence despite being held in check for much of the game.
Fitzpatrick finished the day 2-for-2 with an RBI and two walks. Catcher Andrew Noone went 2-for-4 with a walk and Pedrick had a hit in three at-bats to go along with two walks and two runs scored.
Defensively, Harford delivered a clean performance, backing its pitching staff with key plays that prevented Potomac State from gaining an edge.
The win secures the NJCAA Region 20 Division I title for the Fighting Owls for the second consecutive year. It's also the second year in a row that Harford has won 50 or more games.
"Winning a couple straight region titles is great," Houser said. "It's the beginning of our journey in the playoffs and it was great to check that first box off this weekend. I think it's great for our guys to get to celebrate something after what's been an awesome season. My hope is they stay grounded and know we have a couple more to get to check another goal off the list next weekend."
The Fighting Owls will now travel south to play the Region 10 champion — to be decided this week — in a three-game series to decide the NJCAA East District championship, with the winner earning a spot in the NJCAA Division I World Series in Grand Junction, Colo.
