Science Hill's Josh Marmo (21) and Nate Stoots (16) embrace after Thursday's Class 4A sectional loss at Farragut, which ended the Hilltoppers' season one round shy of the state tournament.
Science Hill's Josh Marmo (21) and Nate Stoots (16) embrace after Thursday's Class 4A sectional loss at Farragut, which ended the Hilltoppers' season one round shy of the state tournament.
J.D. VAUGHN/SIX RIVERS MEDIA
Science Hill's Josh Marmo (21) and Nate Stoots (16) embrace after Thursday's Class 4A sectional loss at Farragut, which ended the Hilltoppers' season one round shy of the state tournament.
J.D. VAUGHN/SIX RIVERS MEDIA
Science Hill's Sam Lane (19) tries to slide into second while Farragut's Jake Merrick (10) turns a double play.
J.D. VAUGHN/SIX RIVERS MEDIA
Science Hill's Noah Hazell (8) winds up to throw to first for an out.
FARRAGUT — The road to a championship in Class 4A baseball still runs through Farragut.
The Admirals clinched their fifth straight trip to the TSSAA Spring Fling, and 23rd state tournament berth in program history, Thursday night. Playing as the visitors in Game 2 of the Class 4A sectional at John Heatherly Field, the Admirals jumped ahead early and never looked back in their 18-0 win over Science Hill.
Jake Merrick’s two-run blast gave Farragut (36-5), the nation’s sixth-ranked team, a quick 2-0 lead. And Eli Evans — a TBCA 4A Mr. Baseball finalist who’s ETSU bound next spring — followed with a standup triple, before scoring on a groundout.
“We knew going in we were trying to eliminate walks, but you also can’t throw it over the middle of the plate against these guys,” Science Hill coach Ryan Edwards said. “You’re trying to work the edges and they just don’t chase. That’s why they’re where they’re at right now.”
And that approach helped Farragut push across nine runs in the second inning. Lukas Buckner, Landis Davila, Charlie Bozeman, Gavin Brewer and Evans all had RBI hits in the frame to build a 12-0 cushion.
Leadoff hitter Buckner, the son of 15th-year Admirals coach Matt Buckner and a Mississippi State signee, went 4-for-4 with three RBIs and three runs scored in his final home game.
“Pretty special. He’s a good kid, man,” coach Buckner said while fighting back tears. “It’s a special group of guys, man. Been around it their whole life. Extremely talented, and they came out with foul intentions, such a talented group. They put so much into this, sacrifice so much for this, really proud of this group, man.”
By comparison, Farragut accumulated more hits (18) than the number of batters their pitchers faced (17). Merrick, Brennon Seigler, and Brewer (four RBIs) all recorded three hits. Davila and Evans both had two.
Cade O’Leary started and threw 1 1/3 innings, earning the win as Farragut led throughout. He, Stratton Scott and Cole Draper combined to pitch a one-hitter.
Sam Lane drew a one-out walk in the bottom of the first, but Buckner and Merrick turned a double play to end the threat.
Josh Marmo’s one-out single in the second, a line drive to center, accounted for Science Hill’s only hit. He made it to third, before a pop-out stranded him.
Caden Wells threw the first inning and was tagged with the loss. Cole ReSue, Noah Hazell and Austin Denham all pitched in relief, with Denham striking out two.
ONE WIN SHORT
Science Hill finished 32-13 overall, reaching the sectional round for the sixth straight time including its 2021 Class AAA state championship.
The Hilltoppers’ senior class — which includes Tennessee Tech signee Landon Smelser, ETSU signee Jackson Berry, Walters State signee Major Osbolt and the Lincoln Memorial-bound Marmo — never missed the sectional in their careers.
“I always tell them at the beginning of every year success is not about who wins the state championship,” said Edwards, who had the opportunity to chat with former Hilltopper and Farragut assistant coach Daniel Sharp after the game. “It’s about love and respect for the game, love and respect for each other, having character, and whatever we decided to do we’re going to finish it.”
UP NEXT
Farragut advances to the Class 4A state tournament at the TSSAA Spring Fling in Murfreesboro, starting Tuesday.
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