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By ANDREW SIMONSON | Sports Editor

COLUMBIANA – The Shelby County Wildcats found themselves tested in their final game before the Class 5A playoffs as they trailed 3-2 going into the seventh inning against the Altamont Knights.

However, with the game on the line, Presley Duke beat out the tag at home to secure the winning run and earn the 4-3 walk-off win on Monday, April 14 at Shelby County High School.

Shelby County started out the game strong with a one-out single from Colby Matherson. He then stole second and third before coming home on an error at third base for the 1-0 lead.

That advantage would last all of two innings before Altamont equalized in the top of the third. After the Knights got a one-out walk, they advanced the runner off a ground out before an error tied the game at 1-1.

The game remained tied all the way until the sixth inning when a slip-up by the Wildcats opened the door for the Knights.

After making a pitching change following a pair of solid innings by Skylar Smith, a hit by pitch and a single put two on with nobody out. An error allowed Altamont to score the go-ahead run and take a 2-1 lead.

The next batter walked to put runners on the corners, and another error in the infield helped the Knights extend the lead to 3-1.

Shelby County got out of the inning from there and immediately responded by loading up the bases to start the bottom of the third. After singles from Nate Byrne and Matherson and a Pennington hit by pitch, the Wildcats hit into an infield fly before a pinch-hit sacrifice fly by Amare Pickett cut the deficit to 3-2.

Ryan Sipes then came in to pitch the top of the seventh and got two strikeouts in a one-two-three inning, setting up Shelby County to finish the job at the plate in the home half of the inning.

Davis Ruston and Presley Duke kicked off the inning with back-to-back singles before Byrne sacrificed himself to move both runners into scoring position. Matherson then walked to load up the bases with one out.

Andrew Knight came home for the tying run off a passed ball, advancing Duke to third in the process. Altamont issued an intentional walk to try and force the inning-ending double play while also getting around Pennington.

That brought Blevins to the plate, and he sent a ground ball to short that forced a decision from the Knights. They opted to try and get the winning run out at home, but Duke was safe for the walk-off 4-3 win.

Matherson was 2-for-3 with a walk and a run and Ruston also had a multi-hit day by going 2-for-3. Blevins and Pickett also finished with an RBI apiece.

The Wildcats finished the regular season 17-12 and with a five-game win streak. They will look to continue their winning ways into the postseason as they hit the road to face the Marbury Bulldogs in the first round of the playoffs.

Games one and two are set for Friday, April 18 at 4:30 and 7 p.m., respectively, at Marbury High School, with game three to take place on Saturday, April 19 at 1 p.m. if necessary.