Jennings upsets Berwick, 9-5

Jennings exploded for four runs in the seventh inning to upset Berwick, 9-5, in Class 3A first-round playoff action Monday in Berwick.
Tied at 5 in the top of the seventh, Berwick (15-16), the No. 14 seed, went to its second reliever, Bradley Gray.
Jennings (14-15), the No. 19 seed, followed with a single, double and an intentional walk to load the bases.
Kole Meyers followed with a two-run double to give the Bulldogs a 7-5 lead. Jennings added two more runs on a stand-up triple by David Daniels.
“Their starter did a great job of keeping us off balance, and they had us scouted up, but our guys battled and did what we preached all year, hit the next pitch,” Jennings coach Jordan Smith said. “We were seeing the ball pretty good all game, and we broke through against their relievers.”
The Panthers weren’t going out without a fight, rallying in the bottom of the seventh inning to load the bases. With one out, D.J. Robicheaux was hit by a pitch and Bradley Gray singled to put runners at first and second. Andrew Askew popped up for the second out before Tanner Caldwell walked to load the bases. However, Brandon Fryou flew out to centerfield to end the game.
“The relievers did what we asked them to do all year long: throw strikes,” longtime Berwick coach Mike Thomas said. “They hit the ball well, but where we faltered was we scored four runs in the second inning, and we did not take advantage after that.
“They had three big innings to win the game. I take my hat off to them, but the way these kids started 5-12, they were 11-2 down the stretch with the forfeit. The scoreboard doesn’t show heart, and they played with all heart the last half of the season, and I’m very proud of them.”
Caldwell led Berwick with a 2-for-3 performance. Other top offensive contributors included Bradley, 2-for-4, a double; and Cameron Wiley, 2-for-4.
Jennings will advance to the second round of the Class 3A postseason where it will face the winner of No. 3 seed St. Louis and No. 30 Caldwell in a best, two-out-of-three series.
St. Louis competed in District 4-3A together with St. Louis sweeping both games. St. Louis won the district title, while Jennings finished last at fifth place in the league race.