Central Magnet seniors took baseball program to new heights

Cecil Joyce
Murfreesboro Daily News Journal

Fifteen Central Magnet School seniors walked off the baseball field at Smyrna High School in disappointment after being eliminated in the Class AA state tournament Wednesday evening.

In time, however, they'll likely reflect on what transpired during their four years on the Tiger baseball team.

A 125-47 overall record and four straight trips to the state tournament.

Central Magnet senior Hunter Jones takes a swing during Wednesday's Class AA state tournament game against Covington.

And it wasn't all about success on the field.

"It was definitely incredible," said Central Magnet senior pitcher James Touchton. "One of the things that made (the senior class) so special is that we were so big. A lot of these guys have been playing together since T-ball days and went to elementary school together all the way through Central Magnet

"We were one of the most together classes you will find anywhere."

Central Magnet senior Hayden Locum fields a throw during Wednesday's Class AA state tournament game against Covington.

The Tigers won their first-round contest and went into Wednesday's play in good shape to make a run through the bracket.

However, a 4 1/2-hour rain delay later and the magic the Tigers had carried through much of the season - and last four years - had dissolved some on the wet grass in Smyrna.

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Central Magnet lost 5-3 to Covington to fall into the losers bracket. The Tigers had to turn right around and play state power CPA in an elimination game, which they lost 7-1.

That ended the high school careers of the 15 seniors, including seven starters and a handful of others who received considerable playing time.

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"They just kept getting better," said CMS coach Jason Patterson, whose squad finished 31-12 in 2017. "They got so much stronger and had really gotten it going (late in the season). These were two tough ones to lose."

The Tigers had rallied for big wins during the postseason, including a dramatic walk-off victory in the team's sectional contest to reach state and a 1-0 victory on a home run in their last at-bat in the first round over Pigeon Forge.

"It became natural for us to get it done (late in games)," said CMS senior catcher Hayden Locum. "That's how we were. Credit Coach Patterson and his work ethic."

It's tough for any team to lose 15 of its 20 varsity players to graduation, but after five straight trips to Spring Fling, it's also hard to count out next year's Central Magnet squad.

"There are a lot of missing pieces to fill, but they'll work hard and find their way," Locum said.

Added Patterson, "We graduated nine seniors three years ago and won 33 games the next year."

For now, the current seniors will work on getting past Wednesday's elimination and then reflect on their program-defining careers.

"It's been four just incredible years," Touchton said. "The leaders on this team were as good as it gets. (The younger guys) will carry it on."

Reach Cecil Joyce at cjoyce@dnj.com or 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.