Sweetwater baseball did not take long to respond to the program’s first loss in 20 days.
On the heels of a 10-inning District 3-2A loss to Kingston that will not affect the Wildcats’ first-place league finish, Sweetwater powered past Chattanooga Christian 8-4 on Thursday.
“I just think coming back and playing a non-district game and getting right back at it was key. Any time you come off a loss after a long win streak you kind of want to get on the field and get after it,” Sweetwater coach Travis Watson said. “We were flat early but, as the game progressed, we started swinging the bat better and put the game away.”
Caleb Powell, Jayden Richesin and Blaine Watson all tallied two RBIs in the win while seven Wildcats combined for 10 hits.
Cade Houser, Powell and Watson totaled two hits each.
It took a trip through the lineup for Sweetwater (21-5) to settle in offensively. The Wildcats went ahead 1-0 in the first inning, but the separation did not come to fruition until a two-run fourth inning and five runs in the bottom of the fifth.
Sweetwater started the fourth frame with three consecutive baserunners kickstarted by Houser’s single. Two batters later, Richesin brought two runs home off an RBI single.
One inning later, Sweetwater started the frame with consecutive walks. Blaine Watson then brought an RBI double to score Lorenz. Sweetwater went ahead 5-1 off Houser’s sacrifice fly.
Three batters later, Powell pushed Sweetwater farther ahead with a bases-loaded single to score Watson and Nolan Dacus.
Brody Watson topped the surge off with an RBI single, scoring Richesin.
Bryson Burgess’ night on the mound ended earlier than expected after taking a line drive off his ankle.
Burgess tosses 1.2 innings, allowing one hit and striking out two. Lorenz served the longest time on the rubber, striking out four batters through 2.2 innings while Blaine Watson and Landen Key contributed to the four-pitcher performance.
“We have been off for a little bit,” Watson added. “That led to Tucker coming in earlier than expected. From there, we just kind of pieced it together.”
Sweetwater’s district calendar has closed, but the Wildcats still have five contests ahead of the postseason — including McMinn County and Pigeon Forge with a trip to Loudon.
“A lot of the seniors are finishing up their last tests. They have just a few days left then it will pretty much be baseball as what they have left,” Watson said. “They are real excited. It is a fun time of the year again and all they have to worry about is baseball. They are anticipating hosting the district and are excited and ready to go.”
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