BUTLER — Tyler Tondee and David Byrd each drove in three runs, and Christopher Tondee pitched five solid innings as the Schley County Wildcats won at Taylor County on Tuesday, 8-5.

Byrd tied the game at 3 in the sixth with a 3-run homer and recorded his third save of the year getting the final two outs as the Wildcats completed the comeback.

“We only had one hit entering the sixth inning,” said coach Chuck Cheek. “We were struggling at the plate a little bit, and we talked about not trying to do too much and not to do it with one swing. We got dominated the first five innings, but I don’t know if he lost a little bit on his fast ball or

we finally decided to hit.”

Taylor (11-12) led 3-0 after two innings and pitcher Brandon Maddox was rolling on the mound, striking out nine batters in the first five innings.

Chad Crook pitched 1.1 innings for Schley (18-6) before Christopher Tondee entered in the second inning. He went five innings allowing two runs on four hits, including a span where he retired 11-consecutive batters during the third through sixth innings.

After Byrd’s homer, Tyler Tondee had a RBI-single to give the Wildcats the lead for good. They added insurance in the seventh with a RBI-single from Will Gordon, an Andy Miller RBI off a hit by pitch with the bases loaded and a two-run single from Tyler Tondee. Schley had seven hits in the two innings.

Cheek said Crook didn’t pitch bad, but has shown to be a better pitcher in relief. At the same time, he believes Christopher Tondee earned himself a spot as a starting pitcher when the playoffs start next week.

Schley still has a shot for the region crown. It has to beat Brookstone on Thursday to at least claim second place, but if Taylor upsets Pacelli, Schley and Pacelli will play Friday for the region championship.

SCHLEY CO. 8, TAYLOR CO. 5

Schley (18-6) 000 004 4 — 8 8 4

Taylor (11-12) 120 000 2 — 5 5 2

W-C. Tondee, L-Maddox, S-Byrd (3). 2B-Deriso (S), Bentley (S), Wilder (T). HR-Byrd (S), Wilder (T). Multiple hits: Deriso (S) 2, T. Tondee (S) 2, Brown (T) 2, Wilder (T) 2.