SPRINGFIELD — There wasn't any shortage of storylines heading into Tuesday's Class 5 District 10 matchup between the Glendale Falcons (5-3) and the visiting undefeated Nixa Eagles (5-1).

After all, the diamond was chock-full of collegiate signees and commits — such as Glendale starting pitcher Ty Wilmsmeyer (Mizzou signee), Nixa sophomore starting pitcher Isaac Mitchell (committed to Arkansas), and Nixa's Hunter Crabtree (Missouri Southern State University).

But, in the end, Wilmsmeyer shut down the Eagles offense, and the Falcons walked it off as senior Thomas Brand's RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning secured the 1-0 win for Glendale — which improved to 5-3 on the young season.

Brand struggled his first few at-bats, a credit to Mitchell's ability to keep the Falcons' bats at bay.

"Being a left-handed batter, it is really hard going against a left-handed pitcher. I struggle with that sometimes with the curveballs," said Brand.

With the game scoreless in the eighth inning, Brand dug in his cleats and put his 0-3 performance behind him.

After all, those three at-bats came against Mitchell.

This time, all Mitchell could do was watch, as Nixa head coach Jason Daughtery went to senior Jake Uber.

With two on and two out and the winning run within striking distance, Brand wiped his recent memory bank clean in an effort to maximize one more plate appearance and get the best of Uber.

"I put those (at-bats) away" said Brand. "I wanted to focus on doing what's right for my team. "I had an opportunity in my third at-bat to make a big play, (to) score a run. So this was where I could get it in, get that run. When they went to the righty, we knew it was our opportunity."

Through the first five innings, the game was anything but typical, as the teams combined for three errors and as many hits.

"I think it says a lot about our club," Glendale head coach Jim Julian said. "This group is senior-laden. They are a gritty bunch. They work hard. We try and tell them it's a long game, don't let the first inning or first at-bats affect the game."

For the full game recap, click here.

For game photos, click here.