Tellico Plains scores 13 runs in one inning to rout Rockwood

“In the fifth inning, we just started finally making adjustments and staying back instead of being so anxious. My guys made adjustments, started hitting the ball right into the gap and did what it took to win,” Tellico Plains coach Heath Ware said.

Will Sanders got aboard after being hit by a pitch before a single from Jack Saveall put runners on the corners. Peyton Dodson grounded a two-RBI double into right field.

Tad Millsaps was walked in a long at-bat before Landon Hollinghead’s fly out allowed a Dodson tag-up, tying the game at five. Darren McJunkin then took the first pitch into center field, scoring Millsaps for the Bears’ first lead since the first inning.

Cam Coleman then doubled, scoring McJunkin. Gauge Bond-Norwood made his way to first before Dawson Edwards’ groundout brought home Coleman.

Will Sanders fouled off three pitches before a wild pitch scored Bond-Norwood. Saveall then singled into center field, scoring Sanders and putting the hosts ahead 10-5.

Saveall stole second before Dodson brought him in with a single. Millsaps brought Dodson home with a triple into right field. Hollinghead followed suit with his own right field triple before scoring on a wild pitch.

Two walks put McJunkin and Coleman on base, allowing Bond-Norwood to hit a game-winning double.

Cleaning up in the field: Tellico finished the game with one error. Errors have been an Achilles heel for the Bears, but the team put together four shutout innings in the win.

“We are still struggling defensively a little bit. My kids, they are playing hard regardless,” Ware said. “We are just struggling defensively right now. Once we got past the first couple of innings, we finally started getting it together and doing it right.

“When we are playing good defense we are pretty hard to beat.”

The Bears allowed five runs in the third inning but remained clean throughout that.

“About the fourth, we started finally making plays and doing things right. Peyton started settling down and pitched a little better. Those Rockwood guys hit the ball but, offensively, we just could not make the adjustment,” Ware added. “It took us a while to get going. Defensively, we finally started playing good defense, doing things right and being in the right spots. It worked out in our favor.”

Tellico (10-9) escaped the top of the fifth while down 5-1 after a leadoff error and a single put two runners on. Dodson forced two ground outs, back to himself and to Sanders, to get out of the inning.

“That was big. Our guys, it kind of takes them getting after it a little or something like that to get them going,” Ware said. “That was kind of the turning point for us and they got excited about it. We started playing well after that.”

A double play helped Tellico out of the third frame. Jack Saveall scooped a ball out of the dirt, connecting with Kyle Duckworth.

“Jack made a pretty decent play. He and (Duckworth) have some pretty decent chemistry together and they turned it well,” Ware said. “I am just proud of my kids. They have worked hard this year and they are doing great.”

Rockwood started the third inning with four consecutive hits, followed by a hit batter and another single to set up the aforementioned double play.

“We talked to the defense and told them to settle down and start making plays,” Ware said. “Our pitchers have done a really good job this year. The defense started getting relaxed behind them and started making plays. I told them it was time to start stepping up and helping our pitchers out and they did.”

Dodson stayed on the bump through the third and completed the game with five strikeouts and one walk. Ware wanted to keep his ace on the mound ahead of an influential Sweetwater series.

“Peyton has pitched such good games and we have just had bad luck the past few times he has pitched. I wanted him to get himself a win and build up confidence going into the Sweetwater games,” Ware added. “It is frustrating for a pitcher to get up there and work and for the defense to struggle behind you. It means a lot for the defense to finally step up and do that for you.”