No. 9 Wall Sweeps No. 3 Jim Ned to Defend District Title

TUSCOLA, TX — The No. 9-ranked Wall Hawks proved why they are still the top team in District 6-3A on Wednesday night when the Hawks completed the season sweep of the No. 3 Jim Ned Indians on the road.

After a tight contest throughout, the Hawks (21-8) used solid pitching and stellar defense to claim their fifth straight district title, 2-1.

Jim Ned (23-2) struck first in the bottom of the 3rd inning. A pop fly turned into a sacrifice RBI that scored one and gave the Indians a 1-0 lead. 

Despite the deficit, Wall proved resilient. Half a frame later in the top of the 4th inning, Wall would take the lead and never give it back. After Reid Ballard drew a walk, Lawson Dankworth hit a line drive single to right to get on base. Jack Jeys then hit into a fielder's choice, but an error allowed Jeys to reach second safely. Ballard scored on the error, and the Hawks tied it up 1-1.

Then an RBI single on a line drive by Jaxson Kennedy to right field scored Noah King to give Wall a 2-1 lead.

With the one-run lead, it was then up to the defense and Kellan Oliver on the mound to hold the advantage.

Jim Ned's best chance to tie the game came in the bottom of the 5th inning. The Indians managed to get two base runners on before Oliver forced a pop fly in the infield to end the inning.

Wall would close out Jim Ned in the 7th to claim the win, the season sweep, and the district championship, 2-1.

Oliver received the win for his complete game on the bump for the Hawks. He pitched all seven innings and allowed 8 hits and one run. He added nine strikeouts and a walk.

With the win, the Hawks now enter the Class 3A Division II playoffs as the No. 1 seed out of District 6-3A with a perfect 10-0 district record. The date, time and location for the first playoff matchup is still to be determined.