Extra-Inning Thriller: Casselberry's Clutch Hit Powers Cardinals Past Southwest Christian 5-2 in 10 Innings
Fort Worth Christian defeated Southwest Christian 5-2. Thu · Mar 19, 2026
Fort Worth Christian Cardinals baseball · 2026 season · District.
Fort Worth Christian survived an epic 10-inning battle on the road Thursday night, outlasting Southwest Christian 5-2 to claim the opening game of their TAPPS district series. The hard-fought extra-inning victory extends the Cardinals' impressive winning streak, pushing their overall record to an outstanding 17-3 and keeping them a perfect 3-0 in district play.
The Cardinals struck early when Grady Emerson showcased his immense power, launching a solo home run over the right-field wall to establish a quick 1-0 advantage. However, Southwest Christian answered back, tying the game on an RBI triple to the outfield. From there, the contest morphed into a tense, grinding affair that required extra frames. Emerson continued to be a persistent threat at the plate, later adding a ground-rule double that bounced over the left-field fence.
Defensively, Fort Worth Christian made pivotal plays under intense pressure to keep the game alive. In a crucial sequence, pitcher Blayne MacDonald fielded a sacrifice bunt attempt and fired a strike to catcher Hank Austin, who applied the tag at home plate to save a vital run. The Cardinals also received offensive sparks throughout the night from Andrew Ridgell, who laced a sharp line-drive double down the left-field line.
In the top of the 10th inning, the Cardinals finally broke the deadlock. Jaxon Casselberry played the role of extra-inning hero, ripping a clutch line drive that plated two runs to give Fort Worth Christian a 4-2 lead. The Cardinals tacked on an additional insurance run and shut the door in the bottom half of the frame to secure the gritty 5-2 triumph.
Fort Worth Christian will look to carry this massive momentum into Friday night as the series shifts back to Cat Corden Field. The Cardinals host Southwest Christian for Game 2, aiming to complete the sweep and further cement their spot at the top of the district standings.
Top plays
- Top of 1st, 1 out — Grady Emerson homers on a fly ball to right field.
- Bottom of 1st, 0 out — A Turman triples on a line drive to left fielder Jacob Ward, M Woerner scores.
- Top of 5th, 1 out — Andrew Ridgell doubles on a line drive to left fielder C Martin.
- Bottom of 5th, 0 out — O Haller doubles on a fly ball to center fielder B James.
- Top of 8th, 1 out — Grady Emerson doubles on a line drive to center fielder M Woerner.
- Bottom of 8th, 1 out — J Steele bunts into fielder's choice, pitcher Blayne MacDonald to catcher Hank Austin, A Turman out advancing to home, C Beam advances to 3rd.
- Top of 10th, 1 out — Griffin Carney doubles on a line drive to center fielder M Woerner.
- Top of 10th, 2 out — Jaxon Casselberry doubles on a line drive to center fielder M Woerner, Griffin Carney scores, Grady Emerson scores.
- Top of 10th, 2 out — Jake Parkerson doubles on a fly ball to left fielder C Martin, Jaxon Casselberry scores.
- Bottom of 10th, 1 out — P Worlow doubles on a line drive to center fielder B James.