Key Conference Wins!

Note-2018 picture of Mr. Dalton Rouse...

We could see the fatigue on the faces and in the body language of our players.  Most high school doubleheaders are two 5 inning games.  On Tuesday, April 9, we played two 7 inning baseball games vs. the Cloudland Highlanders.  As Coach Jerry Rouse said, "Those extra four innings make a big difference."  We credit our young men. 

In game one, a 4-3 lead was stretched to 8-3 after a four run bottom of the 6th.  In game two, a 1-0 lead through five innings turned into an 8-0 win after a four run 6th, and a three run 7th.  Some highlights are noted below:

*Parker Henry was our starting centerfielder during his 2018 rookie campaign, but he was often hit for as the defensive portion of the designated hitter/defender combination, and he did so with a humble, positive, team player attitude.  During this, his 2019 sophomore season, Parker has handled the bat well all season, earning his way up to the two hole in the batting order.  On Tuesday, Nolan Parker had a four hit day, with a double, and several stolen bases.  

*Weston Street is a quiet young man, but his game speaks volumes.  Clutch hits, clutch scenarios (such as his sacrifice fly to tie the game in the 8th vs Avery County), playing multiple positions, hitting leadoff, Weston Street continues to be an important cog in our engine.  An example of this is his two hit, 3 RBI performance in game one, including a double that helped give us insurance runs.  

*Caleb Royston battled through a Hampton pitcher season high 105 pitches in the hottest, most humid game we have played this season.  We told local media about Caleb, "Even when he does not have his best stuff, he battles and gives you a chance to win."  We were excited to see Caleb having several balls hit to him at second base in the second game, including almost making a highlight play diving catch, as we did not want to put him at shortstop in the second game after his high volume pitch count in game one.  

*With Cloudland's ace, Dillon Johnson on the bump for the Highlanders, we knew we needed quality starting pitching in game two.  It's hard to get more quality than a no hitter!  Sophomore RHP, Josh Owens has yet to surrender an earned run in his three starts.  Like we said about about Royston, Owens battles on the mound.  If he pitches into a jam, he pitches out of it, another example of his growth this year.  It was a sight for sore eyes to see junior LHP, Dalton Rouse back on the bump for the Bulldogs.  Obviously not 100%, but still showing why he is one of the top hurlers in Northeast, TN, Dalton struck out four Highlanders in his two innings of work to preserve the "no-no."  

*Landen Street did not record a hit on Tuesday, but our junior left fielder is putting together good at-bats and making solid contact after a difficult start to the season for Landen. 

*Caleb Oaks has not had the season he would like thus far, but it was good to see the big junior scold a ball to the Highlander shortstop in his last AB.  Hopefully this is a sign of things to come for Mr. Oaks. 

*After earning his first career Varsity win in relief on Thursday, our lone senior, Devin Riddle earned his first career save on Tuesday, as he entered the game in the 6th inning with the tying run on 3B and two outs.  Riddle forced a Highlander batter to pop up to catcher, Morgan Lyons to retire the threat. 

*Speaking of Lyons, he showed his versatility on Tuesday.  We did not want to catch him for 14 innings on Tuesday when he is slated to be our starting pitcher on Thursday, and as said above, we did not want to put Caleb Royston at shortstop, so the athletic, strong freshman was asked to hold down the SS postion for a game.  He passed the test with flying colors, showing what we already know, that he could play any position on the field and play it well.  

*Every player on our Varsity roster puts in a lot of time in our baseball program.  In saying that, it was nice to see junior, Noah Laughters collect his first Varsity base hit and score a run.  Likewise, junior, Mitchell Tolley collected his first Varsity knock and came around to score.  Junior, Andrew Smith did not get a base hit, but he did come out aggressive in his at-bat, swinging at the first pitch, putting it in play.    

*We appreciated the good crowd at the ballpark and feel good about the progress we are making as a ball club.