The Adams County Christian School baseball team sat quietly in left field as Simpson Academy celebrated its come from behind win in right Tuesday night.

As the Cougars ran off the field, both teams knew the Rebels had let one slip away.

ACCS led 6-0 after two innings but was unable to sustain its momentum as Simpson Academy stormed back to steal a 10-8 win in a MAIS district showdown.

The Rebels committed four errors in the game, all in the final two innings, in helping aid the Cougar comeback.

“When we were up 6-0, I still didn’t feel comfortable; that’s a dang good ball club,” ACCS coach Matthew Freeman said. “They swing the bat well, but those costly errors, that’s what you can’t have.”

ACCS (11-10, 1-2) led 7-6 heading to the top of the sixth inning, but Simpson wasn’t fazed as it responded with a three-run burst. The rally was highlighted by a two-run triple from Meridian Community College pledge Sam McWilliams. McWilliams tossed the final two innings to close out the win for the Cougars.

The Rebels touched up Cougars starting pitcher Noah Magee for a single run in the first before exploding for five more in the second.

Cole Switzer, Jacob McDaniel, Cole Gatlin and Terrance Charles all had run-scoring singles while Alex McCready registered a sacrifice fly.

“This was one we could have stole,” Freeman said. “That was their ace on the mound, and we had a chance to take the win, and we just didn’t take care of business.”

Charles led ACCS’ hitting barrage with three singles and three runs scored. One of the freshman’s hits came off McWilliams in the sixth as he drove a hard fastball through the right side of the infield.

“He told me, ‘Coach, I just watched the ball all the way and hit it the other way,’” Freeman said. “What more could you ask for from a 14-year-old kid to understand that? The (SA pitcher) is throwing 90-something, watch (the ball) get deep and hit it to right field.”

Gatlin started the game for ACCS but lasted just three innings after surrendering four runs in the third. The senior righty was strong through the first two frames, tallying three strikeouts, but ran into trouble in the third after hitting two batters and walking another. Hooks Harvey drove in three with a double and later scored on Caleb Garner’s triple.

“I told them that they have the ability,” Freeman said. “They just competed against one of the top programs in (MAIS) AAA baseball. They don’t need me to keep telling them they can do it; they just need to learn to do what I ask of them and take care of business.”

ACCS will attempt to even the season series Friday when the two teams square off again in Mendenhall.

“We have to do whatever it takes,” Freeman said.