After a fast start, senior shortstop Robert Tate was in a bit of a slump, coinciding with a five-game losing streak for Homewood-Flossmoor.
Tate’s frustration continued to build over a nearly five-hour game Monday night, but he kept the faith.
“I just think, ‘It’s only going to get better from here,’” Tate said. “There, it got better. I could have ended the game earlier but I struck out.
“When I came up in the 12th inning, I was just like, ‘This is it. I’m doing it.’ And I did it.”
Indeed, Tate did it.
His walk-off RBI single in the 12th inning ended a 4-hour, 57-minute marathon at 9:27 p.m., sending the host Vikings home with a 14-13 win over Andrew in a SouthWest Suburban Conference crossover.
Evan Nieter struck out four and did not allow a run over the final 2 2/3 innings to earn the win for H-F (7-6). Bennett Reich reached base six times, scored three runs and had two RBIs, while Jason Ballard homered and scored three runs and Clemson recruit Dillon Head had a home run, a double and a single. He also walked twice and scored three times.
Jacob Miller had two runs and three RBIs for Andrew (6-3-2). Concordia commit Ryan Le scored three runs and drove in two and St. Xavier recruit Nic Altobelli had three singles and scored twice.
“I was just telling Dillon, I don’t think I’ve ever played in a game this long,” Tate said. “It tests you, though. Moments like this are a great test. When I got up there, I told myself I had no choice but to get it done.”
Tate’s moment of glory came with runners on first and third and no outs in the 12th. He ripped a first pitch fastball into left field for the game-winner.
“I was standing right on the edge of the dugout, and I kind of got this intuition that he was going to swing first pitch,” Reich said. “I told my teammate, ‘He’s swinging first pitch and it’s over.’
“I always have faith in Rob. I knew he was going to get it done.”
Tate, who went 3-for-6, is committed to Mississippi Valley State, a destination that is especially meaningful for him.
“I’m really excited,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to go to a HBCU. My whole life I’ve been thinking, ‘How would it be like to play with people like me, all day long, all week long, all year long, in the same conference?’
“I think it’s going to be a great feeling.”
Reich, meanwhile, has not received a ton of playing time, but he was put into the No. 2 spot in the order and took advantage by drawing four walks, producing a big two-run single and reaching on an error.
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He was hitting behind Head, a potential early choice in this summer’s MLB draft who had dozens of scouts watching him Monday. Andrew twice walked Head intentionally.
“I take it as a little bit of disrespect,” Reich said. “Obviously, he’s an amazing player, but I’m good too. If they’re going to walk him, I’m going to make them pay. And I did that.”
Andrew took a 13-10 lead in the top of the 10th but allowed three runs in the bottom half.
“Obviously, we expect to close the game out there and it just didn’t happen,” Andrew coach Dave DeHaan said. “Give H-F credit. That was just a long, long game. That was a crazy one.”
Tate made sure there was a memorable ending.
“It felt great,” Tate said. “I’ve been struggling a bit the past couple games, so to step up in a big spot like that, it’s a good feeling.”
Steve Millar is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
