Monday afternoon, two county rivals met at Pike County High School for one last chance to claim bragging rights.

Both Goshen and Pike County’s junior varsity baseball squads both looked to end its respective seasons on a positive note.

But in the end, it was the home team who came out on top thanks to some situational baseball, as the Bulldogs were able to clip the Eagles’ wings, winning 7-5.

“The last three or so games, this team has really played hard,” head coach Nathan Fordham said after the win.

“This team has improved in all aspects of the game.”

The Bulldogs finished with a 4-5 overall record, however won its last three games.

A big reason for the PCHS victory over its county rival was the Bulldogs’ ability to get runners in scoring position thanks to aggressive base running, something Fordham said is a very important part of the game both at the JV level but also at the varsity level.

“Being aggressive (on the bases) is a big part of baseball here (at PCHS),” he said. “It put us in a good position to win (Monday).”

With the game tied at 4-4 in the bottom of the fourth inning, the Bulldogs were able to send the go ahead runs to the plate thanks to two Jarred Maddox wild pitches.

Leading up to that inning, both teams took leads throughout the game.

GHS struck first, in the top half of the first inning, taking a 1-0 lead before PCHS was able to score two in the bottom of the inning.

The Eagles tied things up in the second and then again in the third, scoring two runs to take a 4-2 lead before the Bulldogs could answer back, tying the game in the bottom of the fourth at four all.

Austin Rushings got the win for PCHS, while Ian Acermont and Rushings went 2-3 and 1-3, respectfully, and combined for four runs scored.

“This team has improved has improved all the way around,” Fordham said.

“The kids have worked hard in all aspects of the game from hitting to fielding – this is a very much improved team.”

For GHS, the loss was difficult to take.

“To lose it this way is kind of disappointing,” Goshen head coach Robbie Kinsaul said. “But in the that last six of seven ball games, the guys really came together.”

“There were a lot of games that we came really close to winning but in the end couldn’t pull it out – we just weren’t able to get over the hump this season.”

With the loss, the Eagles finished with a 0-11 season, but Kinsaul still believes the baseball program still has a bright future.

“These kids fought hard all season long, they never gave up,” he said. “They responded to a lot of different things this season and always had a positive and competitive attitude – the future looks bright,” Kinsaul added.

Maddox, who was the Eagles’ starting pitcher, threw a complete game in the loss, giving up seven earned runs, while striking out six.

“He has really been our horse this season,” the coach said. “We ran low on pitches and he told (the coaches) to give him the ball and he really has stepped up for us.”