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With two outs in the bottom of the third inning of the Iowa State High School Class 2A tournament baseball game versus Denver, Wilton, Iowa’s Cory Anderson hit a deep drive to center field over the head of the outfielder who slipped trying to retrieve the ball.
That slip allowed Anderson to sprint all the way to third base where, much to Anderson’s surprise, his coach Jake Souhrada was waving him home.
“I didn’t even think I’d be going to third honestly,” said Anderson. “He told me to go home, and I just kicked on the jets and made it home.”
What happened next will set old school baseball purists’ hearts a-flutter because when Anderson saw the Denver catcher blocking the plate (without the baseball, mind you) he busted out his best hit stick and completely destroyed him to give his team a 1 to 0 lead.
If you don't think baseball is a contact sport…check this out! .@beaverbaseball1 beats Denver 3-2 to advance to the state semifinals for the first time since 2005. @HighlightZone6 pic.twitter.com/exaFIF8jCd
— Kevin Kohr (@kevin_kohr) July 24, 2018
Because that was so awesome, here’s another angle.
Thanks to @MattRandazzo and our sister station WQAD, we have more video, context, and info on home plate collision at state baseball Monday.
It's Wilton junior Cory Anderson who collides with Denver catcher Kain Eagle. Eagle did not have ball. Anderson scores; Wilton wins, 3-2. pic.twitter.com/pMfrtCHyBE
— Keith Murphy (@MurphyKeith) July 25, 2018
And a photo that Anderson should frame and hang on the living room wall of any home he lives in for the rest of his life.
Wilton baseball rallies to knock off Denver in state quarterfinal https://t.co/HVibOTfhbA pic.twitter.com/AVqXzXdnFi
— QCT Sports (@QCTsports) July 24, 2018
Also…
…in case you're wondering, Wilton's baserunner was ruled safe on Denver catcher's interference. https://t.co/PfhQHxqzkD
— Chickasaw Baseball (@NHBaseball13) July 24, 2018
Then, just because he wasn’t have a good enough day already, Anderson later came on to pitch in the final inning, stranding two Denver runners, recording the final out for the save, and giving his team a 3 to 2 victory.
Wilton now plays Centerville in the Class 2A semifinals on Thursday. Wonder if it will be televised?