Science Hill’s Josh Marmo wondered if and when he might get a walk-off hit this season. The senior outfielder doesn’t have to wait any longer after delivering a game-winning single in the Hilltoppers’ 5-4 victory over Greeneville on Saturday afternoon at TVA Credit Union Ballpark.
Marmo got behind in the count, but stayed focused on the task at hand. When a hanging curveball was delivered, he sent the ball to right field to score Jackson Berry and give the ’Toppers (27-10) the perfect ending to their regular season.
“I was looking for something hanging in the zone and he threw a curveball inside,” said Marmo, who finished 2-for-4 on the day. “I just got it and hooked it down the line. The last regular-season game of my high school career, what a great way to end it. We want to make a run in the postseason now.”
Berry was in position to score with some heads-up base running. He was hit by a pitch and then got all the way to third base on an error when the ball went off the glove of Greeneville’s second baseman.
He was thrilled to cross home plate with the game-winning run, which was his second run scored in the game.
“I was trying to figure out how to break up a double play and then in the corner of my eye, I saw the ball go through his legs,” Berry said. “I was like I’m going to get three here. Then, I knew Josh was going to get it done. I had a walk-off earlier in the season and Major (Osbolt) had one, so Josh wondered when it would be his time. I’m happy for him and it gives us some momentum going into the postseason.”
Greeneville (17-12) had the early momentum with Kaine Ricker’s two-run double in the top of the first inning.
Landon Smelser scored on an error in the bottom of the first. Aiden Vermillion had a RBI single and Smelser provided a RBI ground out in the second to give the Hilltoppers the 3-2 lead. They added another run in the third on Osbolt’s RBI double to score Berry.
The Greene Devils hung tough and scored two runs on an error in the sixth inning before Hilltopper reliever Hagen Gibson was able to shut them down.
Noah Hazell got the start for Science Hill and went three innings before turning the ball over to Caden Wells. Gibson pitched the final 1 1/3 innings and picked up the win.
The trio combined for six strikeouts, while giving up six hits and just one walk.
“I thought our pitchers were outstanding,” Science Hill coach Ryan Edwards said. “All three of them did a good job against a good lineup over there. Hagen did a good job of executing some pitches right through the middle of their lineup in the top of the seventh.”
Eight of the nine players on Science Hill’s lineup got on base. Edwards saw a couple of areas he wants improvement before the Hilltoppers start district tournament play Wednesday on their home field.
“We made a few mistakes here and there, but we battled all game,” Edwards said. “We had a couple of learning mistakes on defense, but maybe that’s not bad heading into the postseason. It’s a reminder we need to do things a certain way when we’re in a tight spot.”
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