The Midland Independent School District (MISD) recently lauded the Midland High School Bulldogs baseball team for their 4-3 victory over their Permian Basin rival, Odessa High School. The game, held on April 20, was of particular significance as it stretched over 23 innings and lasted for a staggering 25 1/2 hours, making it the longest game in Texas University Interscholastic League (UIL) history.
Permian Basin stations KMID and KPEJ reported that the game commenced at Pressly Field in Odessa at 4:30 p.m. on April 19. It was still underway at 8:30 p.m. when it had to be suspended due to inadequate lighting conditions.
According to these stations, the visiting Midland team was leading with a score of 3-2 at the time of suspension.
The Midland Reporter-Telegram reported that the game resumed at Zachery Field in Midland at 3:35 p.m. on Saturday. The Bulldogs managed to score the decisive run in the marathon 23rd inning.
The publication noted that Wyatt Krueger's hit enabled Jacoby Dutchover to run home, thereby securing this historic win for Midland.
Midland Reporter-Telegram also highlighted that Bulldogs reliever Jake Nava pitched five scoreless innings, earning him recognition for his contribution to the win.
This epic match was part of a District 2-6A baseball series and surpassed a previous record set by a game between McAllen High School and McAllen Memorial High School which lasted for an impressive 22 innings. This information was attributed to MaxPreps by the publication.
Finally, KMID and KPEJ noted that while this may be a record-breaking game in Texas, it falls short of the world record. The longest high school baseball game globally took place in Japan ten years ago. In terms of U.S. history, the longest games were two 25-inning matches that occurred in 1967 and 1975.