Michael Reed doesn’t lead Grayson County (Texas) College in home runs, but he hit the biggest one for Vikings this season.
The sophomore from McKinney, Texas, smashed a 2-1 pitch around the right-field foul pole for a walk-off home run in the Vikings’ 10-8 victory over Alvin (Texas) Community College in the Alpine Bank Junior College World Series on Tuesday night at Suplizio Field.
“It’s been one of those years,” Grayson County coach Dusty Hart said. “We seem to get big hits when we need them. For Reed, he’s not a home-run hitter. He got the right pitch at the right time. I can’t say enough about the way (the Dolphins) played.
“That was the best win I’ve been a part of.”
It was Reed’s ninth home run of the season, but none of the previous home runs he’s hit in his life compare to Tuesday’s drive.
“The last inning, we were taking a strike at first,” Reed said. “I had a green light and was looking for a pitch to drive.
“Everybody was pumped up. We like close games like that.”
Grayson County (45-15) and Shelton State (Ala.) Community College, the last two teams without a loss in the double-elimination tournament, play at 7:30 tonight.
Grayson County sophomore Stuart Slakey hit a home run to get the Vikings’ offense going in the fourth.
Eric Ross tripled with one out in the fifth and scored on J.D. Alfaro’s single to left for a 2-1 lead. One walk and one strikeout later, Alex Johnson came through with a two-out, two-run double to give the Vikings a 4-1 lead.
“I thought we were in control,” Johnson said. “(The Dolphins) are good. It’s not over until it’s over. That’s Texas baseball.”
Gunner Wright led off the sixth with a walk off reliever Ryan Priest. Wright advanced to second on a groundout and scored on Reed’s single to right for a 5-1 lead. Ross singled, then Alfaro singled home Reed to chase Priest. Alvin relief pitcher Brett Kinsel, who picked up a victory in relief Monday, induced a groundout and a flyout to leave the bases loaded.
After being kept quiet for five innings, the Dolphins made some noise. Jesse Husband singled home Adelaido Anaya to chase Eisenbach. Grayson left-hander Matt Lane came in to get the second out, but gave up a two-run single to Chris Herrmann. Priest, who remained in the game as a designated hitter, blasted a two-run home run to right to tie the game 6-6.
“Alvin (41-17) took a 7-6 lead on Lynd’s RBI double to the left-field corner in the top of the eighth, but Grayson came back to tie it on Bo Coffman’s RBI double to right-center field in the bottom of the inning.
With one runner on and two outs, Alvin’s Richard Porfiro singled to right-center field, scoring pinch runner Ryan Gilbert for a 8-7 lead.
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E-mail Allen Gemaehlich at agemaehlich@gjds.com.
Grayson County 10,
Alvin 8
Grayson County vs. Shelton State, today, 7:30 p.m.
Alvin vs. Hagerstown, today, 3 p.m.
