Not only had his teammates placed him in a great position to capitalize, with the bases loaded and no outs on the board, but the team as a whole had also stayed composed after going down 5-0, chipping away at a deficit that would’ve made Clark’s moment impossible. Clark recognized that, and he wasn’t about to let the opportunity end in vain.

After a swing and a miss to start, the senior found the pitch he was looking for, made contact and delivered. His deep liner to centerfield was enough to grant him a hit and more than enough to bat fellow senior Teagun Runkle home, as the Eagles opened their return to the District 6 Class AAA playoffs by defeating Central in walk-off fashion, 8-7.

“I’m so excited,” said Clark on the moment. “It took me a second to realize I started running to first and as soon as I was halfway, it was over. Knowing that my team got in that situation, it was important for me to be there for my team and do what needed to be done. So yeah, all happy, good emotions.”

“It’s pretty cool winning a playoff game like that,” emphasized Runkle, who made up a fourth of Bald Eagle’s runs, including the finisher. “First playoff game that I’ve started, so it’s always great to win the first one.”

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bald Eagle's Teagan Runkle (8) scores a run during a District 6 Class AAA baseball quarterfinal at Don Etters Field on Monday, May 18, 2026. The Eagles won 8-7.

In every way, Central (11-10) took it the home team – the No. 2 seeded squad in District 6 Class AAA – despite their seeding and gave Bald Eagle fans plenty to stress about. But as they often do, the Eagles found a way and got the job done, advancing to their first district semifinal since 2024.

“Central is a great program, and we knew it was gonna be a battle, no matter what the seeds are. It’s playoff baseball, and Coach Cronstein does a great job with those guys,” said Bald Eagle baseball manager Ryan McNamara. “It’s something that we had to be prepared for, and we were.”

In baseball, one bad inning can be all it takes. But the counter to that, one McNamara mentioned, is there isn’t a running clock. As long as you have an out on the board, you can rally back.

That’s the mentality the Eagles carried the fourth inning. Despite being punched in the mouth and surrendering five runs off four hits in the third, including a three-shot homer from Wyatt Dilling (3-of-4), they didn’t consider it time for desperation or a death sentence.

In both the third and fourth inning, junior shortstop Luke Hosband walked up to the plate with two runners on.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bald Eagle's Hayden Stimer (28) tosses his bat before heading to first during a District 6 Class AAA baseball quarterfinal at Don Etters Field on Monday, May 18, 2026. The Eagles won 8-7.

And in both scenarios, those runners were home by the time he made it to second. His pair of two-RBI doubles were massive in getting the Eagles back in it, the first which narrowed the gap to three and the latter which bat Isaac Johnson (2 runs) and Grayson White home to give them their first lead at 6-5.

“I see runners on first, second or third, and I want to score for my team, especially for the seniors,” said Hosband. “Every game counts for them now, and we need to make sure we keep winning, keep them playing.”

“As long as you’ve got an out left or a pitch left,” said McNamara when discussing the response. “We were able to capitalize on some mistakes there, score some runs and get some key hits. It wasn’t the prettiest, but not all the prettiest wins matter like this.”

White, Hayden Stimer, Takoda Ripka and Riley Bucha each fought for walks within that span, all which went on to score, and a throwing error on an in-play ball from Isaac Johnson helped jumpstart a four-run fourth that effectively turned the tide.

Ultimately, the Eagles would add a run in the fifth to make it seven unanswered runs before Central managed a response.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bald Eagle's Luke Hosband celebrates during a District 6 Class AAA baseball quarterfinal at Don Etters Field on Monday, May 18, 2026. The Eagles won 8-7.

The Dragons erased the deficit with two runs in the sixth, setting the stage for what came in the seventh. Teagan Runkle and Riley Bucha fought for walks and freshman Takoda Ripka logged his second hit to load the bases before Clark followed suit to finish the job.

“Shout out to Kaden Clark,” said starting pitcher Kaleb Irion. “As clutch as it gets.”

Defensively, Irion pitched a solid game, exceptional outside of a blemished inning. Despite surrendering five runs in the third, the senior used his team’s quick response on offense as inspiration, not hanging his head down for long.

On the evening, Irion struck out three while scattering eight hits, issuing three walks and pitching two scoreless innings through 6 1/3 innings pitched. Runkle relieved him for the last two outs, posting two strikeouts against two batters. And the Eagles finished with two double plays that closed out the fourth and fifth, one started by Hosband and another by Runkle in centerfield.

“It’s definitely hard giving up runs like that, obviously, but at the end of the day, I know my team can hit,” said Irion. “I just had to keep my head in the game, do what I do, prevent further damage.”

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bald Eagle's Luke Hosband (1) high fives Isaac Johnson (11) after Johnson's slide during a District 6 Class AAA baseball quarterfinal at Don Etters Field on Monday, May 18, 2026. The Eagles won 8-7.

With the win, the Eagles (15-5) advanced to the District 6 Class AAA semifinals for the first time since their state title run two seasons back. In their path pushing to recapture those heights, No. 6 seeded Tyrone stands in their way. The last time the two faced off, Bald Eagle won 11-8.

That district semifinal rematch is set for 4 p.m. at Bald Eagle’s Don Etters Field.

Bald Eagle 8, Central 7

(DISTRICT 6 CLASS AAA QUARTERFINAL)

Central Mar. 005 002 0 – 7 8 3

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bald Eagle's Kaleb Irion (3) pitches during a District 6 Class AAA baseball quarterfinal at Don Etters Field on Monday, May 18, 2026. The Eagles won 8-7.

Bald Eagle 002 410 1 – 8 8 3

Mason Sparks, Coltin Harbaugh (5) and Cody Clapper. Kaleb Irion, Teagan Runkle (7) and Hayden Stimer. W – Runkle. L – Harbaugh.

Top Central hitters: Wyatt Dilling 3-4, HR, 2B, 3 RBIs, run; Adam Loucks 2-3, 2 RBIs, run; Jesse Muthler 1-4, run; Troy McNichol, Josh Beltz run. Top Bald Eagle hitters: Luke Hosband 2-4, 2 2Bs, 4 RBIs; Takoda Ripka 2-3, run; Teagan Runkle 1-2, 2 runs; Kaden Clark 1-3, RBI; Isaac Johnson 1-3, 2 runs; Riley Bucha RBI, run.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bald Eagle's Teagan Runkle (8) swings at a pitch during a District 6 Class AAA baseball quarterfinal at Don Etters Field on Monday, May 18, 2026. The Eagles won 8-7.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bald Eagle's Hayden Stimer takes second during a District 6 Class AAA baseball quarterfinal at Don Etters Field on Monday, May 18, 2026. The Eagles won 8-7.