‘Toppers Jump on Boone Early; Advance to Region
Daniel Boone and Science Hill played three times in the regular season.
In only one inning in the three contests, did the Hilltoppers pitch to the ‘Blazers with the lead.
Thus, gaining an early lead was key in the ‘Toppers 8-1 victory over Boone in the District 1-AAAA winners’ bracket final Thursday evening at TVA Credit Union Ballpark.
Science Hill (29-10) put up back-to-back-to-back two run innings in the second, third and fourth frames in the win that sends the ‘Toppers into Saturday’s championship round and into next week’s Region 1-AAAA Tournament.
“One of the biggest things today was our offense came alive and gave us the lead,” said Science Hill coach Ryan Edwards. “We’d only pitched to Boone this year with the lead for one inning going into this game. They’d jumped all over us every game. It did help to get a lead finally.”
After giving up an unearned run in the first, the Science took advantage of an error on a Lucas Dye single to plate two runs for a 2-1 lead. Major Osbolt’s sacrifice fly and a Nate Stoots run-scoring single pushed the advantage to 4-1 in the third.
In the fourth, a Sam Lane single scored a pair of Smelser’s in senior centerfielder Landon and freshman courtesy runner Hayden.
The two embraced at the plate, feeling the regional berth was imminent.
“I’ve dreamed of that moment, us both being on the field together,” said the elder Smelser. “I didn’t expect him to play baseball so I’m trying to teach him everything I can while I’m out here and he’s out here.
“It was an amazing feeling, knowing those were insurance runs and we’d clinch the region off that.”
For the second time in as many nights, Science Hill held a tournament opponent without an earned run. Boone’s only run came early and leadoff hitter Tim McGonigle reached third on an error and scored on Jackson McCurry’s infield ground out.
Starter Noah Hazell worked into the sixth before giving way to Cole ReSue for the final five outs.
“Getting two good starts definitely helps you,” noted Edwards. “Noah, I can’t say enough about how well he did. He spotted up all three, four pitches. Did a phenomenal job.”
Hazell scattered six hits and walked just one.
“I was locked in the whole game, even during pre-game,” said Hazell. “I was attacking and trusting in the pitches that were called and trusting in my defense to make plays.”
The right-hander said his change-up was the out pitch for the night.
“We like to use it to try and induce a lot of ground balls,” noted Hazell. “It’s not really a strike-out pitch, but if I can get somebody to roll over or pop out with it, that’s kind of the idea.”
None of Hazell’s other offerings were strike out pitches either.
“I don’t really care how they get out,” added Hazell. “If I can work out of innings with them not scoring that’s fine with me.”
Science Hill finished with nine hits on the night. Eight came off Boone starter Jaiden Henry, five on the first pitch of the at-bat.
“We just had a good approach,” said Edwards. “If it was something they could handle, let’s be aggressive early and we were able to get the hitting going.”
Josh Marmo and Lucas Dye both had two hits for the ‘Toppers.
“He (Henr) was attacking so we wanted to try and jump on him early and try to get some runs,” Dye said. “I feel like I’m having better at-bats, hitting more line drives, just staying more compact. Feels great to just know that we are moving in.”
Marmo also scored three times while Landon Smelser scored twice.
Chandler Justice and Brayden Blankenship both went 2-for-4 for Boone. Justice had the game’s only extra base hit, a double in the first inning.
Daniel Boone (20-7) returns Friday to face Dobyns-Bennett in an elimination game that will also serve as a regional qualifier. The ‘Blazers would also keep alive their quest for a first district tournament championship since 1987.
Science Hill will face the winner of Friday’s game in the championship round game Saturday morning at 11:00 a.m. An if necessary game would be played Sunday at 3:00 p.m.
The ‘Toppers are seeking a sixth straight district tournament title and eight in the last nine years. In Coach Ryan Edwards 16 years, Science Hill has won a dozen district tournament titles with one not played in 2020.
Science Hill – Noah Hazell, Cole ReSue (6) and Aiden Vermillion. Daniel Boone – Jaiden Henry, Ben Stevens (6) and Jackson Utsman. W – Noah Hazell 7-1, L – Jaiden Henry. 2B – Chandler Justice, Daniel Boone. RBI – Science Hill 6 (Same Lane 2, Major Osbolt, Nate Stoots, Lucas Dye); Daniel Boone 1 (Jackson McCurry). SF – Major Osbolt, Science Hill. SB – Josh Marmo, Science Hill 2; Sam Lane, Science Hill; Slader Tinker, Daniel Boone. LOB - Science Hill 7, Daniel Boone 11.
In only one inning in the three contests, did the Hilltoppers pitch to the ‘Blazers with the lead.
Thus, gaining an early lead was key in the ‘Toppers 8-1 victory over Boone in the District 1-AAAA winners’ bracket final Thursday evening at TVA Credit Union Ballpark.
Science Hill (29-10) put up back-to-back-to-back two run innings in the second, third and fourth frames in the win that sends the ‘Toppers into Saturday’s championship round and into next week’s Region 1-AAAA Tournament.
“One of the biggest things today was our offense came alive and gave us the lead,” said Science Hill coach Ryan Edwards. “We’d only pitched to Boone this year with the lead for one inning going into this game. They’d jumped all over us every game. It did help to get a lead finally.”
After giving up an unearned run in the first, the Science took advantage of an error on a Lucas Dye single to plate two runs for a 2-1 lead. Major Osbolt’s sacrifice fly and a Nate Stoots run-scoring single pushed the advantage to 4-1 in the third.
In the fourth, a Sam Lane single scored a pair of Smelser’s in senior centerfielder Landon and freshman courtesy runner Hayden.
The two embraced at the plate, feeling the regional berth was imminent.
“I’ve dreamed of that moment, us both being on the field together,” said the elder Smelser. “I didn’t expect him to play baseball so I’m trying to teach him everything I can while I’m out here and he’s out here.
“It was an amazing feeling, knowing those were insurance runs and we’d clinch the region off that.”
For the second time in as many nights, Science Hill held a tournament opponent without an earned run. Boone’s only run came early and leadoff hitter Tim McGonigle reached third on an error and scored on Jackson McCurry’s infield ground out.
Starter Noah Hazell worked into the sixth before giving way to Cole ReSue for the final five outs.
“Getting two good starts definitely helps you,” noted Edwards. “Noah, I can’t say enough about how well he did. He spotted up all three, four pitches. Did a phenomenal job.”
Hazell scattered six hits and walked just one.
“I was locked in the whole game, even during pre-game,” said Hazell. “I was attacking and trusting in the pitches that were called and trusting in my defense to make plays.”
The right-hander said his change-up was the out pitch for the night.
“We like to use it to try and induce a lot of ground balls,” noted Hazell. “It’s not really a strike-out pitch, but if I can get somebody to roll over or pop out with it, that’s kind of the idea.”
None of Hazell’s other offerings were strike out pitches either.
“I don’t really care how they get out,” added Hazell. “If I can work out of innings with them not scoring that’s fine with me.”
Science Hill finished with nine hits on the night. Eight came off Boone starter Jaiden Henry, five on the first pitch of the at-bat.
“We just had a good approach,” said Edwards. “If it was something they could handle, let’s be aggressive early and we were able to get the hitting going.”
Josh Marmo and Lucas Dye both had two hits for the ‘Toppers.
“He (Henr) was attacking so we wanted to try and jump on him early and try to get some runs,” Dye said. “I feel like I’m having better at-bats, hitting more line drives, just staying more compact. Feels great to just know that we are moving in.”
Marmo also scored three times while Landon Smelser scored twice.
Chandler Justice and Brayden Blankenship both went 2-for-4 for Boone. Justice had the game’s only extra base hit, a double in the first inning.
Daniel Boone (20-7) returns Friday to face Dobyns-Bennett in an elimination game that will also serve as a regional qualifier. The ‘Blazers would also keep alive their quest for a first district tournament championship since 1987.
Science Hill will face the winner of Friday’s game in the championship round game Saturday morning at 11:00 a.m. An if necessary game would be played Sunday at 3:00 p.m.
The ‘Toppers are seeking a sixth straight district tournament title and eight in the last nine years. In Coach Ryan Edwards 16 years, Science Hill has won a dozen district tournament titles with one not played in 2020.
Science Hill | 022 | 210 | 1 | -- | 8 | 9 | 2 |
Daniel Boone | 100 | 000 | 0 | -- | 1 | 7 | 5 |
Science Hill – Noah Hazell, Cole ReSue (6) and Aiden Vermillion. Daniel Boone – Jaiden Henry, Ben Stevens (6) and Jackson Utsman. W – Noah Hazell 7-1, L – Jaiden Henry. 2B – Chandler Justice, Daniel Boone. RBI – Science Hill 6 (Same Lane 2, Major Osbolt, Nate Stoots, Lucas Dye); Daniel Boone 1 (Jackson McCurry). SF – Major Osbolt, Science Hill. SB – Josh Marmo, Science Hill 2; Sam Lane, Science Hill; Slader Tinker, Daniel Boone. LOB - Science Hill 7, Daniel Boone 11.
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