The game lived up to it billing.

Two of the best teams in the state duked it out in a contest that both coaches had scheduled in order to sharpen both for the upcoming playoffs.

And in the end, it took the international tiebreaker rule — and some fortunate timing in terms of the batting order — for Corner to edge out Tuscaloosa County, the No. 6 team in Class 6A, by a 2-1 score in nine innings.

Yellow Jacket pitcher Heather Anderson was in her groove most of the way, racking up 13 strikeouts.

Her only stumble came in the seventh inning, when she gave up a hit to right fielder Robyn Wallau, who stole second, went to third on a Bailey Booth bunt, then scored on Lindsey Turner’s single.

Anderson’s opposite, County pitcher Ashley Rainey, was on top of her game as well. Through five innings, Rainey faced the minimum 15 batters, with the one hit she allowed in the first to Taylor Sloan being wiped out by a double play.

But Rainey faltered in the sixth when designated player Randi Jones reached on a single, moved up on Marissa Estes’ bunt, and then scored on a double by Preslie Cruce.

Corner had a chance to end it in regulation when Kayla Estes hit a one-out double in the bottom of the seventh. But a strikeout and a fly ball to the shortstop left her stranded at second base.

The eighth inning yielded nothing, but Corner found itself in great shape as it went into the tiebreaker. County had its sixth, seventh and eighth batters up, while the Jackets were at the top of their order.

The Wildcats went down in order, with Anderson fanning two.

Corner then made short work of getting Madison McCormack in from second base, as Cruce bunted her to third, then Sloan knocked a single to end the game.

Sloan was 2-for-4 for the day, with Jones and Cruce having each of the Jackets’ other two hits.

Anderson gave up six hits and three walks.

Corner finishes the regular season Tuesday when it hosts Gardendale, then plays host to the area tournament on Thursday.