Story by Heath Hambrick

The Ider Hornets clinched a playoff berth in walk-off fashion against the Valley Head Tigers on Thursday night with a 9-8 victory. 

Ider built a 6-1 leadgoing into the top half of the seventh inning only needing three outs for the victory when the visiting Tigers from Valley Head rallied from five runs down to take an 8-6 lead over the Hornets. 

The rally started when Tytan Blevins was hit by a pitch, putting him on base. Batting next, Ben Johnson tripled for Valley Head which scored Blevins. 

Levi Miller tripled and Andy Cano singled and drove in two more runs for the Tigers.

Blevins batted again in the inning and this time singled to score another run. Valley Head ended the inning scoring seven runs. 

Ider responded in the bottom of the seventh with a leadoff double from Tyler Kidwell, then Easton Wilbanks earned a walk to put two Hornet runners on base. The next batter, Dalton Williams, was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Trent Thomas earned a walk to score Kidwell to cut the lead to 8-7 Valley Head. Cooper Edgeworth earned a walk to score Wilbanks to tie the game at eight.

Then Ider Head Coach Casey Gaddis made a lineup change, putting in Blaze Ott to run for Williams to set up the next play. 

Eli Hawes laid down a bunt for a single that allowed Ott to score from third to win the game for the Hornets 9-8 and clinch a playoff spot for Ider for the first time since 2022. 

“I’m extremely proud of our guys and the grit they’ve learned to play with this season. We’ve took some on the chin but been able to pile up some wins this year.

“I tell our kids every day to play loose, do it the right way and compete for Ider,” said Gaddis. 

Ider improved its record to 15-6 (4-0) with one area series left on the schedule next week versus Skyline. Valley Head falls to 5-10 (1-3).