CONWAY - When Woodlawn's Owen Stover arrived at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway last Friday afternoon for the Class 2A State Championship Game, he said he never imagined he would end up being named the game's Most Valuable Player "Oh heck no," Stover responded after being asked that question during in a post-game interview. "I thought it (the MVP award) was going to be our starter (Austin Howard). I mean, I kind of started thinking about it on that last out right there - maybe if I get this out, maybe I can be the MVP." The senior right-hander for the Bears said he really did not think he would be called to the mound when Woodlawsn Coach Tommy Richardson signaled him over from first base to relieve Howard with one out and the bases loaded in the top of the fifth. The Bears were clinging to a 3-1 lead over the Palestine-Wheatley Patriots at the time.
"We thought our no. 1 was going to stay in the whole game, and I was the no. 3 option," Stover said. "The centerfielder (Jase Bishop) was no. 2, so it was little surprising." Walks had been an issue for both teams during the game, so Richardson said he wanted to go with the pitcher he felt could throw the most strikes, noting that the Patriots were being especially patient at the plate and he needed to someone to throw strikes.
While he came in nursing a two-run lead, that quickly became one when he was called for a balk on a pick-off attempt at third, allowing Palestine-Wheatley to cut the Bears' lead to 3-2 and another runner in scoring position with one.
But Stover came through, striking the batter he was currentluy facing and then getting the next to fly out, ending the top of the fifth and preserving the Bears' one-run lead.
Stover finished the game striking out four batters over 2-2/3 innings. His last strikeout came with runners at first and second with one out in the seventh. He got the next batter to fly out and end the game.
"He (Stover) did a re...
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