SPRING VALLEY -- Spring Valley coach Jim Hensley knew that getting a win over rival Huntington in the Class AAA, Region IV, Section 4 matchup would be a historic win for his Timberwolves.
But even he didn't realize just how historic it would end up being at the end of the night.
After Hensley's Timberwolves ousted Huntington with an 11-3 win, legendary Huntington coach Toby Holbrook announced that he would retire after 44 years of coaching baseball.
"I've been associated with his name for over 30 years, probably 33 years," Hensley said. "It's a big thing when you hear his name every year at baseball season. ... He's an oak out here and we are going to miss him."
Holbrook, who has amassed 751 wins in his career, broke down in tears while being honored by Spring Valley coaches and players following the game. Players walked down the first-base line to shake Holbrook's hand while coaches hugged him and thanked him for doing so much for baseball in the Tri-State during his tenure.
It was a gesture that Huntington assistant coach Greg Rowsey called "a class act" and it brought even more emotion to Holbrook's final game on the diamond.
In typical fashion, Holbrook used his quick wit and humor to hide his emotions on the night.
"I love the game. It's a grind though. When you are 67, 68 years old and you are doing this, it is a grind because I have to take care of the fields," Holbrook said. "I told Greg (Rowsey) on the way down here that it's a blessing playing on another team's field because I don't have to get it ready. It takes me all day."
For a career that has produced so many strong seasons, the final game was rather anti-climactic. Spring Valley scored four runs in the top of the first inning to take a lead that it would not relinquish.
The lead blossomed to 6-0 in the third inning before a play ultimately let Holbrook know that it wasn't his team's night to shine.
The Highlanders mounted a two-out rally in the bottom of the third, placing two runners on following a single and a walk. Zack Sizemore connected on the first pitch and sent a drive to deep center field, but Zach Harrison made a running over-the-shoulder catch for the third out to save a pair of runs.
Harrison also made a diving catch in Tuesday's contest with the bases loaded to keep momentum on the side of the Timberwolves.
"That's at least a two-run hit," Holbrook said. "He did the same thing to us last night. He's unreal."
Hensley agreed that even though his team had a comfortable lead, Harrison's catch kept the momentum from changing and essentially broke the Highlanders' chances of a comeback.
"If that ball goes to the fence and they end up scoring three runs, it's a different ballgame," Hensley said. "That was a game-changing play right there -- big play."
While Holbrook raved about how fundamentally sound the Timberwolves' defense was on the evening, the Spring Valley offense was just as potent, rapping out 14 hits, including six in the first inning.
Each Spring Valley starter had at least one hit and one RBI against six different Huntington pitchers. Jacob Hunter was the only Spring Valley player with multiple RBI following a two-run double in the first inning.
"Our kids are pretty focused the last few weeks and we've played pretty good ball," Hensley said. "It's the difference in playing an experienced, upper-class team than playing younger underclassmen. ... Our kids were hungry."
Spring Valley (16-10) advances to take on the winner of the Cabell Midland-Hurricane matchup in Section 3, which will be played today (and Friday if necessary) at Hurricane.
The winner will meet the Timberwolves on May 20 at Cabell Midland High School in the Class AAA, Region IV semifinals.
SPRING VALLEY 402 140 0 -- 11 14 1
HUNTINGTON 000 210 0 -- 3 6 2
Bays and Moore. Mayo, Eschelman (1), Morehouse (5), Geiger (5), Fischer (5), Garton (7) and Williams. Hitting: (SV) Harrison 2-5, 2B, RBI; Workman 2B, RBI; Smith 2-2, RBI; Brody 2-4, 2B, RBI; Hunter 2B, 2 RBI. (H) Voitelle 2-2, RBI; Sizemore 2B, R; Cook RBI.
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