ELSBERRY, Mo.. — The game played out just like it was scripted, as the the Elsberry Indians secured their advancement in postseason on a walk-off steal by Joel Mound giving Elsberry the 4-3 win over Hermann in Class 3 District 6 action.

It didn’t take the Elsberry Indians long to move across home plate in a game that had already been postponed twice in the week. After a scoreless first inning by both Elsberry and Hermann, it was the Indians who scored first. Elsberry’s Bo Henry got on with a single in the second, Eli Gladney added another single then Kyle Turnbull ended up being the third base runner loading them up for Ben Dowell. Dowell hit a single scoring one run, then Kaden Kinsler put up a sac fly to bring another run across. Joel Mound entered the batter’s box with two on and two outs, he put the ball in play, Turnbull crossed home plate, but Dowell ended up picking up the third out as he was tagged out at home. At the end of two, Elsberry led Hermann 3-0.

That’s the way it stayed until the top of the 4th when Indian’s pitcher Sean Phillips allowed the lead off runner on, who eventually came around to score. The scoreboard held the 3-1 score until the top of the seventh when Hermann’s offense came alive.

Elsberry brought in Gavin Woodson to close out the game, but he struggled on the mound. Without getting an out, Woodson had the bases loaded and that’s when Indian’s coach Levi Jacyna called on Kinsler to try and get them out of the jam. Kinsler allowed a hit, which scored one run, but an error from Mound allowed the second runner to cross the plate and all of a sudden the game was three all.

In the bottom of the seventh, Elsberry was determined to advance on. Mound was the first batter up for the Indians. He put the ball in play and the Indians had a lead-off single. Colby Twellman followed suit with another single. A bunt was laid down by Will Stonebreaker and everyone was safe. With bases loaded Elsberry stepped in the batter’s box but it only took two pitches for Mound to steal home and get the 4-3 win sending the Indians on to the district championship game.

The Indians will now face (1) Christian or (5) Montgomery County on Thursday evening at 4:30 p.m., location TBA.

Pictured above, Joel Mound slides safely into third base, but was left stranded as the inning came to an end.