The Mineola Yellowjackets fell out of the playoff tournament at the hands of the District 16-3A champion Tatum Eagles.

It was a tall order for the Yellowjackets. Tatum took the three-game series Friday and Saturday at Brook Hill Academy in Bullard. 

On Friday, the Jackets were on the receiving end of a no-hitter pitched by Tatum starter Tristan Berry. Tatum took game one, 4-0.

First pitch for Saturday’s game was at high noon – a perfect setting for what was a true classic. 

Mineola won game two, 4-2. It was perhaps the best baseball Mineola has played all year. 

Freshman Beckham Bowker (4 H, 3 K, 2 BB) got the nod and went the distance. He had a masterful performance.

His changing velocities, exact placement and pitch calls kept Tatum guessing the whole game.  

He set the Eagles down in order in the third, fifth and seventh. When Tatum was able to generate baserunners, the young hurler was unshaken and maintained his composure throughout. 

In the first, Tatum put two men on with an error and a bunt base hit. Both runners were sacrificed into scoring position and came home on a two-out single to centerfield.  

The Jackets answered.

After Calem Redding drew a walk, Bowker laid down a beauty of a bunt to the right side and beat it out for a base hit. Matthew Ballew bunted to advance both runners. A clean single to center off the bat of D.J. McDowell drove in Redding.

What followed was a version of a seldom-seen base-running play known as the ‘Skunk in the Outfield.’ 

Between pitches, and with Bowker at third base, McDowell simply walked off first base. He strode out toward centerfield and stopped at the edge of the dirt about 30 feet from first base. 

The Tatum bench, coach and fans erupted with shouts and conflicting directions to the defense. McDowell just stood there. 

Eventually the ball was thrown to the second baseman who turned and faced-down McDowell. Just as designed, the infield’s attention was diverted to McDowell, allowing Bowker to steal home. He just beat the tag when the throw to the plate was slightly off line. Mineola tied the game.    

The middle innings were chock-full of solid defensive play by both sides and smart baseball. 

Mineola took the lead in the bottom of the fifth. Ballew reached on an infield base hit. McDowell followed and punched the ball through the left side. 

The Yellowjackets took the lead when Lawson Ollive laid down an exquisite bunt and beat the throw to first. On the play, Ballew scored from second. Carson Threlkeld stepped in and lined a single to left to score McDowell.

Tatum put two men on in the sixth but could not score. Bowker set the Eagles down in order in the seventh to end the game. 

The win set up game three, which Tatum starter Logan Cansler dominated. The right-handed fireballer struck out 12 Yellowjackets and gave up only three hits (all to Ballew). 

Tatum scored twice in the second and broke the game open with five runs in the fifth.   

Before the game was called in the sixth, five Yellowjackets had taken a turn from the mound, but the Tatum bats could not be silenced. Tatum won 10-0 and took the series.