The big inning was just waiting to be taken Saturday in Game 1 of the Alpine Bank Junior College World Series.

It took until the eighth inning, but Shelton State (Ala.) Community College scored five runs to win 8-4 against Johnson County (Kan.) Community College.

“It was a lot like our state tournament, where we had some chances but couldn’t get the big hit when we needed it,” Shelton coach Bobby Sprowl said. “But our pitchers where able to stay away from the big inning and that is how you win.”

Before the eighth inning, the Cavaliers were able to stay away from the big inning.

However, leading 4-3 in the bottom of the eight, Johnson County committed two errors and hit a batter to load the bases. Buccaneers sophomore Justin Bussey took advantage of Johnson’s mistakes, hitting an RBI single.

“We knew we needed an inning like that, and I came up and got a hit,” Bussey said.

With the bases still loaded, third baseman Tyler Horne did the final damage, hitting a two-run single.

“It boiled down to eighth inning and we didn’t make plays,” Johnson County coach Kent Shelley said. “My hat’s off to Shelton, they did what they had to do.”

Shelley added he was disappointed in the bullpen’s performance as both Travis Blankenship and Jacob Smith appeared in the inning but were unable to register an out.

“Very disappointed in our bullpen in the eighth but I was proud of the way we battled back,” Shelley said.

Johnson did have its chance in the ninth, loading the bases. Shelton State’s Adam Scott was able to get two outs before Bussey came in.

Bussey got Parker Amos to ground out to first base to end the game.

“I came into the game knowing what my job is and all I was thinking about was getting that one guy out,” Bussey said. “We knew we had to win this game.”

The Bucs knew they had to win the game because in last year’s tournament, they lost their first game to Spartanburg Methodist and were subsequently bounced within the next couple days.

“You gotta win early and that is the thing I learned last year,” Sprowl said. “I figured it was like a state tourney that you could lose and you come through it, but it is not as easy as winning early.”

While the Cavs did drop the game they got on the board first in the top of the fourth. Doug Otto reached on a bunt, then stole second and third. Cavaliers designated hitter Nate Thomas drove in Otto with a single.

It didn’t take long for Shelton State to respond. The Bucs scored two in the fourth inning on an RBI triple by Horne and an RBI double by Justin Diliberto.

Johnson County tied the game 2-2 as Otto doubled and scored on a double by Parker Amos.

Both teams displayed aggressive base running, combining for four stloen bases.

Shelton added another run in the sixth and held a 3-2 lead after seven.

In the top of the eight Amos collected another RBI with a single up the middle. The Cavs took the lead later in the inning off a David Drahozal sacrafice fly.

The game was Hall of Fame coach Shelley’s first opportunity to coach in the tournament.

“It was everything I thought it would be and more,” Shelley said. “Very proud to be here but we have a lot of work to do, and we are going to go back and get ready.”

•

E-mail Patrick Bahr at pbahr@gjds.com.