So a tight game was expected at Elkins High School/Post 29 Field and the two old rivals didn’t disappoint as the Colts outlasted the Tigers, 6-5, in a nine-inning battle.

“It was great high school baseball game,” said Philip Barbour coach Jonathan Carpenter, whose team has won six straight games. “Elkins has a very good team and our kids found a way to come in here and get the win.”

The contest was deadlocked at 3-3 until Philip Barbour took the lead in the top of the seventh when Austyn Fletcher singled, moved to second on Nick Hamrick’s sacrifice bunt and raced home on starting pitcher Trent Tallman’s single.

Elkins responded in the home-half of the frame, however, when Nathan Cooper led off with a double and Matthew Gainer followed with another two-bagger to tie the game at 4-4.

Philip Barbour’s Will Knight cracks a double against Elkins on Friday night.

Philip Barbour avoided any further damage in the frame to force extra innings.

In the ninth, the Colts struck for two runs as Hamrick drew a walk and Tallman followed with a single.

Will Knight then plated Hamrick, and Tallman later trotted home on a passed ball to make it 6-4.

Elkins again threatened in the home frame when Gainer drew a one-out walk, which was followed by a Colt error and a single from Anthony Jones to cut the lead to 6-5.

But Hamrick, who entered in the eighth inning, retired the final two batters to preserve the victory.

Tiger starter Jeremy Cogar releases a pitch in the third innng of Friday’s Big 10 contest.

The Tigers took a 1-0 lead in the first when Read Schumacher walked and later scored on Cooper’s single.

Philip Barbour claimed a 2-1 advantage in the second on Alex Wilson’s run-producing single and an error.

Elkins picked up an unearned run in the bottom of the inning to tie the contest, before Knight put the Colts back in the lead on an RBI fielder’s choice in the third.

In the Tiger fourth, Cole Crumm singled, advanced to second on an error and stole third in front of Cooper’s run-scoring single.

Cooper led Elkins at the plate, going 3 for 4.

Jeremy Cogar went all nine innings for Elkins in taking the loss.

Tallman and Knight each had two hits for the Colts.

The Tigers, who entered the game on a nine-game win streak, are now 10-4 on the season and will return to play at 5 p.m. Monday at home against Grafton.

Philip Barbour (9-1) is back in action at 4 p.m. today at Frankfort.