BASEBALL

If ever there was a storybook ending, this was it.

The #RV Forester baseball team wrapped up their final regular season series Saturday afternoon at Forest Glen in unforgettable fashion, using a three-run walk-off homer by RJ Anglin to cap a 14-11 win over Mount Vernon and complete the 3-1 win over the Cougars. The dramatic finish pushes Huntington to 37-10 overall and locks them into the No. 2 seed in the Crossroads League standings.

Down to their final at-bat and trailing by three, the Foresters once again proved they are never out of a game.

Game 1 – Huntington 10, Mount Vernon 0 (7 innings)
Before the late-game fireworks, Huntington handled business in the opener with authority.

The Foresters secured their seventh shutout of the season behind another dominant outing from Grant Simmons, who tossed 6.2 scoreless innings, allowing just four hits while striking out five. One out shy of a complete game, Simmons handed things off to Carter Wilkinson, who recorded the final strikeout to preserve the shutout.

At the plate, Huntington scored 10 runs on eight hits while drawing 11 walks, constantly applying pressure.

The heart of the lineup did the damage. Owen Willard went 3-for-4 with a homer, two doubles, and three RBI, while Cam Clarkson added a pair of hits and three RBI of his own. Keifer Wilson drove in two, and the Foresters capitalized on free passes with bases-loaded walks from Johnnie Ankenbruck and Braden Kauffman during a four-run sixth inning.

Huntington ended the game in walk-off fashion via the run rule, with Willard doubling in a run before Wilson lifted a sac fly to bring it to a close.

Game 2 – Huntington 14, Mount Vernon 11
Then came the chaos – and the magic.

After surrendering an early 2-0 lead, Huntington erupted for eight runs in the first inning, sending 11 batters to the plate. The Foresters combined timely hitting with patience, drawing five walks while getting RBI knocks from Kauffman, Jace Fowler and Willard. They also scored on a wild pitch, an error, and even a pickle to take an 8-2 lead.

But Mount Vernon answered.

The Cougars chipped away and eventually surged ahead 11-8, setting the stage for a dramatic final frame.

Down to their last at-bat, the Foresters delivered.

Willard sparked the rally with a stand-up double before Keifer Wilson launched a one-out, two-run homer that just snuck over the wall to cut the deficit to one.

Down to their last out, Huntington kept fighting. Zach Pelletier was hit by a pitch, and Ankenbruck, with ice in his veins, calmly drew a walk. Moments later, a misplayed grounder allowed pinch runner Parker Richards to race home and tie the game at 11-11.

That set the stage.

On a 3-1 count, Anglin delivered the moment of the season – crushing a three-run walk-off homer. The bat flip said it all as the dugout erupted and the Foresters poured onto the field in celebration.

Huntington finished with eight hits and seven walks in the nightcap, with Willard (3-for-4), Kauffman (2-for-4) and Fowler (2 RBI) leading the charge. Wilson added two RBI on his clutch homer, while Anglin’s heroic swing accounted for the final three.

On the mound, Dylan Eggl earned the win after tossing the final inning in relief in a game that saw five Forester pitchers take the ball.

With the sweep, Huntington secures the No. 2 seed in the Crossroads League Tournament and will return to action Thursday at 11:00 a.m. at Spring Arbor. Their opponent will be determined following play-in games on Tuesday.