Baker Gators beat the Bulldogs

BAKER — The Baker Gator varsity baseball team has not defeated the Crestview Bulldogs in five years. That all changed on Tuesday night with a 6-5 victory.

The Gators trailed 4-0 going into the bottom of the third inning.

“We had two guys on and Ethan Edge hit a double to score two runs,” Baker’s head coach, Adam Henry, said. “Then we got one more run and I think that propelled us to the tie and to keep moving forward.”

The game eventually went to extra innings tied at 5. Crestview was unable to score in the top of the eighth inning, giving Baker a chance to win the game in the bottom of the inning on a solo home run from Payton Rockwell. The Baker dugout went crazy.

“I was just hoping they would wait until he touched home plate,” said Henry. “They were all storming the field.”

Henry said the victory means a lot to the team.

“It’s an awesome feeling,” said Henry. “Coach Gillis does a great job with his team, so any time you can have a win against Crestview, it should be enjoyed.”

Henry credits his two freshmen pitchers for keeping the team in the game.

“My starting pitcher, Ben Plunkett, did a great job,” said Henry. “My other pitcher, Ethan Edge, helped out as well. I couldn’t ask for a better job from either of them.”

Henry believes the team now has momentum for the rest of the season.

“Whenever you beat a 7A school as a 1A school, that’s huge,” said Henry. “As long as we can stay focused and execute, I think we’ll be in good shape.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker Gators beat the Bulldogs