Ads rebound behind early cushion vs. Irish
Farragut Admirals baseball apparently “flushed” a rough late-inning loss at Hardin Valley Academy early last week (see story above), moving ahead with three victories to stand at 17-1 overall, 6-1 in District 4-AAA entering this week.
Dropping Knoxville West twice by a combined 14-1 score in district play, FHS was out of league Friday, April 9, to host Knoxville Catholic — building an 8-1 lead after two innings before hanging on against the feisty Irish to win 8-6 at John Heatherly Field/The Ballpark at Farragut.
“I think we’re at 11 games in nine days now. We were on fumes a little bit today,” Admirals skipper Matt Buckner said about his tired team.
A Parker Evans single and five straight walks produced three first-inning Admiral runs. Landis Davila’s fielder’s choice ground-out pushed another run home before Jake Dallas’ RBI single made it 5-0.
Following Landon Lutterman’s solo homer to right-center field to put Catholic (8-5) on the board in the top of the second, Farragut posted three more runs during the inning’s bottom half.
Tanner Kim doubled to deep center field with one out, then scored on Brennon Seigler’s two-out RBI single.
Following Hunter Merrick’s single and another walk, Davila was hit-by-pitch, forcing in the Admirals’ seventh run. Dallas walked for an RBI, building the lead to 8-1.
Farragut starting pitcher Jake Wurms, a senior righthander, went 2 2/3 innings before being hit on the right elbow by a Kaden Martin line drive up the middle in the top of the third.
“He was doing a good job. I’m hoping he’s able to get better and come back,” coach Buckner said of Wurms.
Bryce Burkey and Lukas Buckner also had hits for the Admirals.
Catholic rally
The Irish responded with a run in the fourth inning on singles by Ian Hubbard, Landon Lutterman and brother, Hudson Lutterman.
Catholic drew to within 8-5 in the fifth inning — all after two out and none on base — thanks to a Emery Wright double and two walks before Nate Breeden’s two-RBI double to deep left-center field. Landon Lutterman’s RBI single added the third run.
Two infield errors and a Spencer Margolis RBI single cut it to 8-6 in the sixth inning.
Admirals reliever Michael Delph, a freshman, came in to close things out in the top of the seventh. He induced a flyout, then got a strikeout before hitting a batter. But a pop-up ended the game.
“Good job Michael Delph,” coach Buckner hollered to the freshman after the game. “He’s got a chance to be really special on the mound.”
Kelly keeps it close
Keeping the Ads off the scoreboard the final four innings, “Michael Kelly did a great job, our sidearmer, keeping us in the ballgame,” Irish head coach Caleb Moore said, as the right-handed reliever went four innings while allowing just two hits and two walks with one strikeout.
