Science Hill’s baseball team has already answered the call once with its season on the line.
Well, twice in one day in last weekend’s Region 1-4A tournament at Morristown West. The Hilltoppers took a hit in their semifinal loss to Sevier County. But they recovered quickly, erupting for 13 runs against both Daniel Boone and Morristown West to finish region runner-up.
Of course, most teams wouldn’t envy Science Hill’s task of winning a best-of-3 series at Farragut — a team with 16 seniors all signed to play college baseball. The Admirals have 12 Division I signees, 11 of them being seniors including ETSU-bound Eli Evans. Brennon Seigler and Stratton Scott are both headed to Tennessee, with Lukas Buckner, Cade O’Leary and Landis Davila going to Mississippi State.
The very definition of high school baseball tradition, the Admirals have 12 state titles, including three of the last four Spring Flings which were held (2019, 2022 and 2023).
The other state title went to — yep — Science Hill in 2021.
And as the 2019 Science Hill baseball team would attest, traveling to Knox County for the sectional isn’t a death sentence. Those Hilltoppers won at Hardin Valley to make their second straight trip to Murfreesboro. Science Hill took the most recent meeting with the Admirals, when the defending state champion Hilltoppers prevailed 12-4 in the 2022 DeMarini Classic at Hardin Valley.
The series begins with Game 1 Wednesday, with first pitch set for 6:30 p.m. at Farragut. Game 2 starts at 4 p.m. Thursday, followed by the if-necessary rubber match at 6:30.
Elizabethton, Greeneville representing 3A
The Cyclones’ redemption tour takes them to Knox County as well. Seeking a third state tournament trip under head coach Ryan Presnell, Elizabethton heads to Gibbs, a team two years removed from winning Class AA in 2021.
The teams meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday night before playing at 4 p.m. Thursday, followed by the if-necessary game at 7.
As for the other 3A sectional, well, it’ll feature a pair of 2023 state champions. Greeneville aims to defend its Class 3A title while Union County won Class 2A in its first-ever state tournament trip last year. Now a member of Class 3A, the Patriots played Gibbs to a 3-2 score for the Region 2-3A championship.
Greeneville and Union County meet at Tusculum’s Pioneer Park Wednesday at 6 p.m. and Thursday at 4:30, followed by the if-necessary game.
Buc up, again
University High has made it to Murfreesboro five straight times, not counting the 2020 season which was canceled for COVID.
First-year head coach Christian Taylor looks to continue the Buccaneers’ winning tradition with a best-of-3 series with Greenback, which avenged a region semifinal loss to Coalfield by eliminating the Yellow Jackets in the Region 2-1A consolation final.
Greenback last made it to Murfreesboro when the Cherokees won state in 2019.
The teams will play Games 1 and 2 at Thomas Stadium Thursday night at 6 and 8:30 p.m., the rubber match taking place Friday at 5 p.m. if needed.
Knight delight
Providence Academy didn’t rebuild, but reloaded, after last year’s state quarterfinal berth. And the Knights will get a shot at revenge on defending Division II-A state champion Northpoint Christian, which won a best-of-3 series to keep PA out of the Spring Fling last season.
Providence’s trip across the Mississippi state line begins with Games 1 and 2 Wednesday, at 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. respectively, followed by Thursday’s rubber match if necessary. The Knights are seeking their first-ever trip to the Big Dance.
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