Grain Valley beats Blue Springs 2-1 in district play

by Bill Althaus, Grain Valley News

John Malicoat got the job done on the mound and at the plate as his Grain Valley Eagles edged Blue Springs 2-1 in the opening round of the Class 6 District 5 baseball tournament at Grain Valley High School.

On many occasions, his slider would appear to behead toward a batter's helmet, then snap over the plate. He had just two strikeouts, but was masterful in pitching to contact.

He drove in the first run of the game and threw just 67 pitches in his complete-game victory.

"This was a big win for us," Grain Valley coach Brian Driskell said, after the Eagles improved to 20-12-1 on the season. The No. 3 seeded Eagles will play Blue Springs South at 6:30 p.m. Thursday on their home field.

"You can't ask for more than Logan gave us tonight. He was out on the mound pitching - not just throwing the ball, but pitching. And their kid was outstanding, too."

Blue Springs took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning on a Conor McElligott triple and Logan Craft RBI ground out.

The Eagles didn't get on the board until the bottom of the third when Brody Wilp doubled and scored Malicoat's RBI single.

The eventual winning run scored in the bottom of the fifth when Aaron Barr singled, was sacrificed to second by Kaden Crandall and scored on Logan Bennett's RBI double.

"You saw great pitching from both teams' starters," Driskell said, after the Eagles improved to 20-12-1. John was amazing on the mound and got the job done with his bat, too. And Logan is a batter you want up in that situation. He's gotten a lot of big hits for us this season."

And none was as special as his game winner against the Wildcats.

"John was putting his heart in every pitch," Bennett said, "and we're all thinking, 'We have to get him that go-ahead run.' And we were able to do it. This win was as big of a win as any game I've played for our team. We all wanted John on the mound and he took care of business."

Malicoat said all his pitches were working, but it was his slider that kept the Wildcats off balance.

"I've been working on a two-seamer (pitch) and used that a little bit tonight," Malicoat said. "I used a cutter and a fastball and change-up, but I was able to keep them off balance with my slider."

Barr was the lone Eagle with multiple hits as he finished the night two two singles and a run scored.

Saying goodbye to your seniors is tough, and Wildcats coach Tim McElligott had eight on this year's 9-26-1 squad.

That's why the admirable show of mutual respect between McElligott and Brian Driskell was so special Wednesday evening at Grain Valley High School.

Players from each team met on the infield following the game, shared hugs and a few laughs, while McElligott and Driskell chatted for several minutes in front of the Wildcats dugout,

"It's always fun to play Brian's kids," McElligott said.

"They play hard. They play the game the way it should be played. I love his team and the way he coaches them. Nothing but respect for Brian tonight."

McElligott then praised both starting pitchers - the Wildcats' Cohen Kelsey and Malicoat.

"Cohen has been outstanding this season, and he was outstanding today," McElligott said, as Kelsey allowed two runs on seven hits. He struck out four and walked two batters. "He did a nice job handling the pressure of a game like this.

"And you know what? He spent so much time watching (Blue Springs grad who is now pitching at Arkansas) Cole Gibler last year, and you could see how much it helped him this year. He's like a mini Cole. Now, I'm not saying Cohen is Cole Gibler - because no one is like Cole Gibler.

"But he spends time off the field working like Cole, studies the game like Cole and today, he did a great job on the mound. I wish we could have gotten him a few more runs."

McElligott then turned his attention to Malicoat, who allowed one run on three hits. He struck out just two batters, but did a great job pitching to contact.

"Malicoat worked his butt off out there and threw a great game," the Wildcats veteran coach said. "Both guys had great sliders and kept both teams' hitters off balance. There are days you have to tip your cap to your opponent. Kudos to Brian and his guys."

As he walked to the parking lot, Wildcats pitching coach Alex Duvall added, "You hate to lose your last game, but at least it was a great game. You couldn't ask for much more from each pitcher."
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Photo credit: David Rainey, Grain Valley News