Tigers Beat Mineola, 9-2, Keep Playoff Hope Alive

The Wills Point Tigers pulled off a 9-2 upset win over the Mineola Yellowjackets in the last game of the regular season to keep playoff hopes alive. Colton Newton got the win, giving up seven hits in seven innings. Newton walked five and struck out four.

The Tigers went into the game tied with Van for the third and final playoff spot, and remained tied with the Vandals after Van defeated Kemp in their final game. Van and Wills Point split the two games they played against each other, and will now play a third game to decide who will go to the playoffs.

The game was originally scheduled for Thursday, but has been postponed until at least May 11 due to the swine flu outbreak.

Mineola was tied with Canton for the top spot in District 14-3A prior to meeting Wills Point. The loss put the Yellowjackets into second place in the district, and Canton took the title.

Playing in Mineola on Friday, the Yellowjackets took a 1-0 lead in the second inning before the Tigers answered in the third. Austin Teel hit a two-out single with the bases loaded to drive in Jayce Oldacre and Bradley McDonald. Mineola tied the score in the bottom of the inning, but that would be the last run for the home team.

Wills Point took the lead for good in the top of the fifth when Newton doubled home Keifer Davis. Oldacre followed with another double driving in Newton. Walks by McDonald and Brett Bradshaw, and a hit-by-pitch on Austin Bardin drove in another run for a 5-2 lead.

Newton allowed three base runners the rest of the way, and Wills Point padded the lead with four runs in the top of the seventh.