It took over two days, but the Midland High Bulldogs etched their names into Texas high school baseball history with a hard-fought 4-3 victory against the Odessa High Bronchos.
The game started on Friday, April 19 and didn't end until Saturday, in what turned into a 23-inning game.
After the first seven innings, the two teams were tied at 2-2 as neither team could score until the 14th inning, when Midland High was able to put another run on the scoreboard in the top of the inning making it 3-2 after the Bulldogs loaded up the bases on walks.
After that, though, the game was put on pause due to darkness with no lights at Pressley Field.
The umpires then decided that they would resume the game at Zachery Field in Midland on Saturday, which was supposed to be game 3 of the series already scheduled there.
On Saturday, rain delays prevented either team from taking the field until 3:30 in the afternoon, with the Bulldogs leading 3-2 from the day before and Odessa High finally getting their at-bats in the bottom of the 14th inning.
With one out, the Bulldogs hit a triple into right field.
The next batter flied out to center, bringing in the runner from third, making the game tied up again at 3-3.
During the 15th inning and with two outs, Odessa High was able to hit a triple and put another runner into scoring position, but the momentum came to an end with a ground out.
The game went without a score until the 22nd inning, after Odessa High loaded up the bases on a single, an error and a walk with only one out.
With all the bases loaded, the pressure was building on Midland High, until pitcher Jake Nava came through with a strikeout and then a groundout to close out the inning, stopping Odessa High from scoring any runs.
The game then went into the 23rd inning. Midland High's Jacoby Dutchover was able to hit a single, steal second base and then advance to third on a foul ball that passed by the catcher.
Wyatt Kruger for Midland High was then able put down a squeeze bunt that brought in Dutchover for the go-ahead and run.
With Odessa High down by one run and taking their at-bats in the bottom of the 23rd, Midland High’s Nava was able to force a pop out and a ground out.
Odessa High was then able to hit a single off Nava. But on the next batter, a ground ball to the shortstop for the out at second closed out the inning, crowning Midland High as the winner of the game.
This 23-inning game reportedly broke the record for the longest high school baseball game in Texas history.
The previous record was 22 innings.
