Given that he’s playing college baseball, we feel confident in saying that Arkansas State catcher Dylan DeButy is familiar with the rules of the game. But in Tuesday’s game against Ole Miss, he had a mental lapse at the absolute wrong moment.
The Red Wolves led the Rebels 2-0 in the top of the fifth inning. Ole Miss, though, was threatening. The Rebels had runners on second and third with one out and their lead-off man, Ethan Groff, at the plate. Groff made solid contact, hitting a sharp grounder to Arkansas State third baseman, Daedrick Cail. While Cail wasn’t playing in, he decided to try to cut the runner, Peyton Chatagnier, off at the plate.
It seemed like a good idea. Cail’s throw was well ahead of Chatagnier. But after catching the ball, DeButy turned towards first base, wanting to try for a double play. He didn’t get a throw off to first and shortly thereafter, seemed to realize his bigger mistake.
The bases were not loaded. It was not a force play at home. DeButy had to tag Chatagnier. He did not. So, not only did DeButy and the Sea Wolves not turn a double play, but they allowed a run without recording a single out.
On the board! pic.twitter.com/vvnRelhSJx
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) April 19, 2023
Baseball fans had a lot to say about this blooper.
Not a force play ☠️ pic.twitter.com/1HhY6rZjx4
— 11Point7 College Baseball (@11point7) April 19, 2023
What if I told you the runner was safe on this play…. pic.twitter.com/NQt25uYP6j
— Walker Agnew, Jr. (@texasreb126) April 19, 2023
Huge brain fart by the catcher here. There’s a reason Arkansas state is 12-20 with an RPI of 241. Yikes lol https://t.co/sbc23H0XDa
— Preston Smith (@PDawg2017) April 19, 2023
[Ole Miss Baseball] Photo Credit: SEC Network
