In one of the most bizarre endings to a baseball game ever, Hornell High School started celebrating too early — and it cost them the New York Section V, Class B1 final against Palmyra-Macedon.
Palmyra-Macedon scored five times in the seventh, and a dropped third strike with two outs allowed the final two runs to cross the plate in their 6-5 victory, according to Pickin’ Splinters, a website that covers sports in the Rochester area.
The bizarre final sequence started with a called strike three, and the batter sprinted toward first once the catcher dropped the ball.
The catcher then popped up and appeared to attempt to tag the Palmyra-Macedon hitter, though the home-plate umpire made a safe sign with his arms when the catcher glanced back.
The catcher clearly thought the game was over as he then sprinted toward the mound, jumping and celebrating with the pitcher as other Hornell players converged on the group at Dwyer Stadium in Batavia.
Championship ends with two runs scoring on a dropped strike three while the other team is celebrating thinking they won.
Brutal pic.twitter.com/zL8eBsxMvS
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) May 28, 2023
The ball, glove and catcher’s mask all sat on the field as the celebration continued, but the runners kept sprinting around the bases — and when the Palmyra-Macedon batter reached second base, the broadcast captured a Hornell infielder pointing toward the plate.
It appeared that he realized Hornell hadn’t, in fact, sealed its win, but the infielder couldn’t communicate that to the rest of his team as they celebrated.
He started sprinting to try and make the play himself, and another player joined him, but by that point, no one could locate the ball and the game-winning run crossed the plate.
The umpires gathered and eventually ruled that Palmyra-Macedon won, a decision that even confused the broadcaster.
“Wait a minute, Hornell’s got to pay attention,” the broadcaster said as the Palmyra-Macedon runners continued rounding the bases. “I’m not sure what’s going on here.”
That tone changed a few moments later.
“Wow, this has gotta be the most bizarre ending I’ve ever seen,” the broadcaster said, as the umpires informed Palmyra-Macedon of their decision and appeared to walk off the field.
Palmyra- Macedon, which the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reported entered with 16 consecutive wins, advanced to face Penn Yan in the state tournament qualifier Tuesday after winning its third consecutive sectional title, according to Pickin’ Splinters.
