The Connally Cougars kicked off their annual Connally Classic baseball tournament with an exciting 5-4 come from behind win over Harker Heights on Thursday.

The Cougars (8-7) fell behind 2-0 and 4-2 in the game but were able to tie things up in the bottom of the fifth, setting the stage for an exciting finish. Connally relief pitcher Zach Tobler, who took over for starter Dominique Romo, worked his way out of trouble in the top of the seventh to keep the game tied. Tobler walked the Knights leadoff hitter, J.T. Gilmore, to start the inning. Gilmore promptly stole second and moved to third on a ground ball by Evan Knutson which was the first out of the inning. Tobler retired the next two batters he faced, stranding Gilmore at third and keeping the game tied.

The contest appeared headed to extra innings after Harker Heights hurler Cody Newell, who was pitching in relief of starter Shawn Hanson, retired the first two Cougars he faced. Connally shortstop Dustin Babola had other ideas and he lined a base hit to keep the inning alive. Tobler followed Babola and he blooped a base hit into right field. Babola rounded second base on the hit, intent on taking third base. The Knights’ right fielder came up throwing, but overshot his third baseman and Babola was able to score on the error, giving the win to the Cougars.

Harker Heights jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning with a two-out rally of their own. Romo got the first two hitters he faced to fly out to center field, but an error on what should have been the third out of the inning opened the door for the Knights offense and they took advantage as Jose Torres blasted a two-run double to stake Hanson to a 2-0 lead.

Connally responded with a run of their own in the bottom of the frame. With one out, Alex Torres drew a walk and ended up at third base when Babola cracked a double. Tobler walked to load the bases and Ronnie Baker plated Torres with a sacrifice fly ball to right field.

The Cougars evened the score in the third inning, turning an Anthony Bryant walk into a run. Bryant led off the inning by taking a base on balls. He stole second and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Torres. Babola lofted a fly ball to left field to bring him home and tie the game at 2-2.

Two more Connally errors helped the Knights take a 4-2 lead and that was the score when the Cougar offense came to the plate in the bottom of the fifth. With one out Deandre Lankford and stole second base. Bryant followed him to the plate and drew a free pass of his own. A wild pitch moved the runners up another station and Lankford came in to score on a throwing error by the Knights’ catcher. Torres and Babola drew walks to load the bases and Tobler hit into a fielder’s choice to plate Bryant and tie the game at 4-4.

Tobler earned the win for Connally. He pitched one inning, allowing no hits and one walk. Newell took the loss for Harker Heights. Romo had a decent showing for the Cougars. He threw six innings, giving up five hits and no earned runs.

The Cougars followed the win with a 10-0 victory over Conroe’s Oak Ridge High. Tobler earned the win in the game.

Connally defeated Joshua High 9-3 in the championship game of the tournament. Babola was the winning pitcher.

Bryant and Babola were named the tournament’s co-offensive mvp’s. Tobler was the outstanding pitcher. Lankford was chosen the defensive player of the tournament.