The Wallace Govs will not get a chance to play for an ACCC Tournament Title in 2024. That's because the Central Alabama Trojans got a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth inning to defeat the Govs 4-3 and knock them out of the tournament.

In the top of the eighth inning, Wallace tied the game at three when Sean Darnell walked with bases loaded. With only one out in the inning, the Govs still had a chance to win the game. The bases were still loaded but Central pitcher Jacob Page struck out both Wallace batters.

Both teams were sat down in order in the bottom of the eighth and the Govs went down 1-2-3 in the top of the ninth. Wallace reliever Colton Dorsey quickly got the first two outs in the bottom of the ninth before giving up a double to Zack Johnson, who went to third on a wild pitch. Next, Jacob Smith drew a walk putting runners on first and third base. Then Tucker Starling connected for a solid single to centerfield that plated Johnson and ended the game.

While the Govs dream of winning a Conference title may be over, their dream of going to the National Tournament may not be. As he was addressing his team after the crushing defeat, Ihle informed the Govs there is another possible way the Govs could still advance.

"Division II is different from Division I because there are two at-large bids," Ihle said. "So, there is a possibility we can still get in. Because of our strength of schedule and the fact that we were ranked in the top three much of the year, I feel good about our chances. But we'll have to wait and see. We'll have to wait until all of the other regions are done and that could be a few weeks."

Also when addressing his team afterwards, Ihle told them how proud of them he was.

"I know this hurts right now," he said. "We had a good team and you guys had a target on your backs all year. I'm here to tell you this is not going to be the abnormal. This is going to be the standard. We're going to win conference championships every year. We're going to be ranked every year. That's gong to be the standard. And you guys will be able to look back and say it all started with you."

The Govs advanced to the semifinal round by defeating LBW 6-5 earlier in the day. The Govs won the game when Brody Capps hit an RBI single in the top of the ninth inning. That was enough for reliever John Locurto to hold on for the win.

Capps had a very good tournament and especially in this game. He went three-for-four with three RBIs.

The Govs now have a record of 44-8 overall and will await news of a potential at-large berth to the National Tournament when the bracket is announced by the NJCAA in two weeks.