ELIZABETHTON — Jackson Buckles allowed two earned runs in 5 2/3 innings, and battery mate J.D. Hooks highlighted a four-run second inning with a two-run double for Elizabethton's baseball team.
With their help, the Cyclones defeated David Crockett, 6-3, in the District 1-3A championship game Monday at Northeast Tennessee Credit Union Ballpark.
The Cyclones (14-16) will take on Volunteer at Tusculum on Friday at 5 p.m. in a region semifinal. Crockett (17-14) will play Greeneville in the nightcap.
Elizabethton won its first district since defeating Sullivan South, 9-3, in 2019.
Buckles, a 6-foot-6, 207-pound sophomore, did the lion’s share of the work to stop the skid. He allowed seven hits and three walks, but six strikeouts helped him get out of jams. Buckles stranded seven runners, six of which were in scoring position.
Buckles credited Hooks’ work at catcher.
“J.D. really helps me out, really gets me some calls behind the plate,” Buckles said. “He’s a great catcher. I just try to keep my composure and keep it rolling (in tight spots).”
Buckles was thrilled to put a feather in the cap of the tradition-rich program.
“It’s really satisfying,” Buckles said. “Growing up, I always wanted to play for Coach P (Ryan Presnell) and just be a part of the team.”
Justin Whitehead relieved Buckles with two outs and a runner on first in the top of the sixth. Whitehead, also a sophomore, struck out three, walked one and allowed no hits in 1 1/3 innings.
“Justin was huge,” Buckles said. “He came in the Tennessee High game (winners’ bracket final), too. He’s been great.”
Elizabethton scored a run on a balk in the first inning. The Cyclones added four runs in the second thanks, in part, to two misplayed bunts and an error in the outfield.
The Pioneers appeared to have an emotional hangover 24 hours after upsetting top-seeded Tennessee High, which went undefeated in the Upper Lakes Conference during the regular season and was ranked No. 1 in the state.
“There might’ve been (a letdown),” Crockett coach Spencer Street said. “There was a lot of high emotion (in Bristol). But we’ve got to do the little things well, and there’s really no excuse for not coming out and playing with a little more energy and fire today.
“We’ve kind of prided ourselves on defense all year and we didn’t do enough defensively today. And we had some opportunities at the box and we just didn’t cash them in. Been pretty good at that late, but just a little off today with some miscues.”
Hooks was 2-for-4 with a run and two RBIs. Bugs Meadows was 1-for-3 with an RBI and a sacrifice fly, and hit the ball hard in three of four plate appearances.
Speedy shortstop Jeriah Griffin was 2-for-3 with a bunt single.
His bunt came during the four-run second. Logan Campbell also reached on a bunt in that frame. Each of them scored.
“That was a good job by Jeriah and Logan,” Buckles said, “doing what Coach P said with some small ball.”
Shortstop Ronnie Hall was 2-for-3 with a walk for Crockett. Marcus Greenway went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, a double and a run. Nolan Street was 1-for-2 with a walk, a run and a steal.
Left-handed sophomore A.J. Ford allowed one earned run in five innings. He struck out six while allowing five hits and three walks.
Texas Rangers outfielder Evan Carter was a junior when Elizabethton won the district in 2019. The Cyclones advanced to the state that year with a 7-2 sectional win at Alcoa. They also defeated Pigeon Forge 4-2 in a state tournament elimination game.
Carter’s senior season was wiped out due to the pandemic.
Elizabethton’s 2023 season concluded with a double forfeit due to a fight with Unicoi County.
“It’s been a tough year,” Elizabethton coach Ryan Presnell said. “I’m so proud of these guys.”